Menstrual Health: A Critical Cornerstone of Community and Climate Resilience

Blue graphic featuring the cover image including women-led Self-Help Group members in jaipur, India, holding compostable pads that they have made and smiling at the camera

Menstrual health (MH) affects nearly half the global population for up to 40 years of their lives, and is increasingly recognised as an essential element of gender equality and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Nonetheless, MH is under-researched, under-acknowledged and underfunded, and millions of women, adolescent girls, and gender-diverse people who menstruate struggle to achieve it.

Climate change is threatening the ability of women, girls, and gender-diverse people to manage their MH adequately, including too little, too much or too polluted water, and climate-related impacts on supply chains, infrastructure, and disposal mechanisms. Improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is central to achieving MH, but cross-sectoral investments are needed to create meaningful change – especially through climate policies, programs and finance.

This learning brief aims to support WASH sector actors to link MH more effectively to climate resilience concerns and make the case for climate financing of MH interventions to ensure that all people who menstruate can manage their MH effectively, despite environmental and political volatility.

Who is it for?

This learning brief is intended to support WASH sector actors and organisations to promote the importance of MH for community and climate resilience, and to effectively make the case for climate financing of MH-focused interventions as part of gender-equitable climate change responses.

What does it include?

An overview of the current state of play on MH globally
Water for Women CSO project spotlights on effective MH interventions implemented in diverse Asia Pacific contexts
Lessons learnt and recommendations for WASH sector actors
A call to action to improve MH equity globally

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Citation: Water for Women. (2024). Learning brief: Menstrual Health: A Critical Cornerstone of Community and Climate Resilience. https://www.waterforwomenfund.org/en/news/menstrual-health-a-critical-cornerstone-of-community-and-climate-resilience.aspx

This learning brief was authored by Joanna Mott, Water for Women GEDSI Adviser, Milena Bacalja Perianes, SAGANA Gender Lens Investigating Specialist, and Elise Mann, iDE Global WASH Director.

We recognise the efforts of Water for Women partners who are working in diverse contexts across the Asia Pacific region to progress equitable MH for all through their WASH and research programs. In particular, we thank those highlighted in this learning brief for their insights: iDE Cambodia; the Centre for Advocacy and Research, India; Plan International Papua New Guinea; Yayasan Plan International Indonesia; SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Nepal, and SNV in Bhutan.

Water for Women acknowledges the Australian Government’s support via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in providing funding to our partners to support climate-resilient GEDSI WASH across the region and sharing valuable inputs through this learning brief. We would also like to thank Bianca Nelson Vatnsdal and Jocelyn Pederick for supporting the graphic design of the learning brief.