Meeting gender & menstrual hygiene needs in MSF-OCA health centres

Menstrual Hygiene Management has been neglected in MSF water and sanitation essential requirements for health structures during acute and chorionic emergencies but also in stabilized situations. To integrate MHM into those requirements; standards, indicators, essential requirements, a monitoring tool and a design & implementation tool have been developed to guide watsan officers, medics and logistician to plan, put in place and follow up a MHM program in MSF-OCA health centres. Menstruation is a sensitive topic and it is still a taboo in most countries; sociocultural aspects like religious, belief and myths must be considered before the design and implementation take place. Therefore, the MHM program requires consultation with women users to enable them to decide the type of sanitation facilities and sanitary material they might use and trainings on MHM for MSF-OCA national and international staff to ensure the staff are able to carry out the MHM program in MSF-OCA health centres.