Free hygiene articles: Schools in the Germersheim district act now!
Free hygiene articles: Schools in the Germersheim district act now!
In spring 2023, the district council in the Germersheim district made an application to install machines for tampons and bandages at all secondary schools. This measure is intended to help manage menstrual hygiene better and to reduce the effects of "period poverty". The latter term describes the difficult situation of many women and girls who cannot afford menstrual products. In many schools in the district, free donors for hygiene products are already in operation, which focuses on the problem.
The topic of menstruation is increasingly being taken seriously worldwide. According to Plan International , menstruation should be recognized as a normal topic by 2030 in order to prevent women and girls from being hindered to develop their full potential. The organization calls on politics to define clear and measurable goals for menstrual health and hygiene and to promote the integration of menstrual health into the existing educational projects. This includes the provision of free period products in schools as well as a contemporary information about menstruation.
sanitary facilities and education
A central aspect of menstrual health is improving the sanitary facilities in schools. Inadequate menstrual hygiene can lead to urinary or reproductive infections and impair the well-being of students, as a study by the Who> shows. Girls often stay away from class during their period for fear of bullying or because of inadequate toilet facilities. It is therefore crucial that schools have appropriate hygienic facilities.
In Germany, an analysis by Wash United shows that every third woman and every second man received information about menstruation during her school days. Nevertheless, many young people, especially between the ages of 16 and 24, perceive the costs for menstrual products as stressful. As a result, some girls, for example according to a survey from the United Kingdom, have difficulty affecting the necessary products, which affects their participation in class.
political measures and social commitment
The demands on politics are also clear: the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA) should work more for the rights and needs of menstrual health. In addition to providing free products, position papers in cooperation with civil society are also to be developed. In addition, a sensitization campaign is sought to change social norms around menstruation. The organizations are also committed to better education in schools that should be integrated into the curricula for the 5th and 6th class.
in countries such as Ghana, where many schools have no access to secure drinking water and sanitary facilities, the need for action is even greater. Projects such as "Clean Water for Ghana-Phase II" aim to improve the hygienic conditions in schools and provide menstrual hygiene sets to support girls in their educational path. This shows how important access to menstrual products and hygienic institutions is for equal opportunities and education.
The combination of political initiatives, social commitment and concrete measures in schools can make decisive progress in menstrual health. It remains to be hoped that acceptance and the corresponding support offers will continue to increase in Germany and worldwide in order to give all women and girls the opportunity to learn and live stigma and restrictions.
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| Ort | Kreis Germersheim, Deutschland |
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