Menstrual Health and Hygiene Symposium West and Central Africa

context

The theme of menstruation is increasingly present on the international scene. The difficulties faced by girls and women in achieving satisfactory menstrual health are a reality in all regions of the world.

The establishment in 2014 of the International Day of Menstrual Hygiene, May 28, makes it possible to draw the attention of the international community to the subject, to recount the difficulties experienced by girls and women and to help lift the taboos.

In Africa, following a first symposium on menstrual health in East and South Africa in 2018, an African coalition for menstrual health management was set up. place to promote and facilitate a more coordinated response on menstrual health in East and South Africa.

In order to advance the subject of menstrual health and hygiene in West and Central Africa, the regional offices of UNFPA and UNICEF with the support of Equilibres et Populations, Muskoka partners UNWOMEN and WHO as well as a network of key partners, propose to organize the first symposium in West and Central Africa on menstrual health and hygiene.

Goals

On the basis of the results of studies carried out in the region, presented during the symposium, the objective is to engage in advocacy actions common to all stakeholders and create synergies between the various initiatives so that political leaders make progress. subject a priority.

The specific objective is to enable every woman and girl in the region to be able to manage her periods in a safe, hygienic, confident and shameless way, without menstruation being a reason for limiting their personal and professional development.

The expected results

The evidence and programs of MHH in the region have been shared and are known.

• Words are freed and some taboos lifted by the deployment of a communication campaign around this subject in the region Bring together for the first time the actors and initiatives in the field of MHH in the region.
• Common objectives and the strengthening of regional and country MHH programming and advocacy (in particular by using the Muskoka vehicle) are identified
• Both studies and a joint guidance note on advancing MHH programming in the region are launched.

Symposia

October 12, 2020

A virtual conference organized on the occasion of International Day of the Girl 2020 (IDG 2020, October 11) on October 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. GMT. This year’s theme for IDG2020, “My Voice, Equality for Our Future,” will focus on re-imagining a world shaped by the voice, vision and solutions of adolescent girls.