Integrating menstrual hygiene management (MHM) into the school water, sanitation and hygiene agenda

The integration of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) into existing water, sanitation and hygiene approaches in low-income countries is long overdue. This briefing paper presents an illustrative overview of existing research, programming and policy to date, with recommendations for the way forward in terms of research and programming priority areas. Of critical importance to any approach is the incorporation of girls’ voiced experiences and perspectives on their own needs for managing menses successfully in school, and the importance of adapting interventions to the local context. While attention to the issue of MHM for school girls is growing, much remains to be done, and the water and sanitation community has an important role to play in moving this effort forward.