ABSTRACT
Gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women is a major theme in the field of sport for development (SFD). Understanding the lived experiences of participants, across all genders, is fundamental to creating inclusive environments for everyone. However, a key aspect of many girls’ and women’s experiences is largely missing from research and practice – menstrual health. This chapter examines innovative approaches in SFD that aim to address menstrual health education, reduce menstrual stigma, and provide menstrual products to participants. These projects and programs take different approaches, from global development initiatives to grassroots social entrepreneurship, to engage with this taboo topic. Their efforts occupy a unique and emerging space in the field of SFD, one that is growing alongside a broader movement on menstrual health as a social justice issue. Through review and analysis, this chapter highlights the need for more critical and comprehensive perspectives on gender and SFD. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is also examined, with menstrual health as a reflection of how the pandemic has disproportionately affected many girls and women.
