ABSTRACT
The onset and regular occurrence of menstruation is not only a normal part of life, it is an indication of a healthy reproductive system. Yet while about half of the global population will experience, currently experiences, or previously experienced menstruation, it is far from normalised. Women and girls are expected to keep menstruation hidden, yet face somewhat insurmountable obstacles to doing so, due to a lack of practical guidance, limited access to supplies, and insufficient facilities—including water, sanitation, soap, and waste disposal—for safe and dignified management. The lack of attention and prioritisation to these basic needs for a normal part of life is an indication that women and girls’ needs are not considered to be equal to the basic needs of their male counterparts, and that women and girls, therefore, are not considered equal to their male counterparts. Further, some women and girls have greater access to resources, facilities, and guidance for management compared to others, enabling this normal biological process to highlight disparities and enable discrimination, particularly against women and girls who are already marginalised, including the displaced and those with disabilities. This chapter identifies key human rights documents to frame menstruation as an issue of equality, provides illustrative examples of women and girls’ experiences to demonstrate how inequality is experienced, makes recommendations for research that could further understanding of women and girls’ experiences, and identifies initiatives that have the potential to meet women and girls’ needs to enable them to pursue full, equal, and dignified lives.
