Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) needs among the adolescent girls of Madrasahs
Menstruation is one of the primary signs of girls entering puberty and usually begins during the adolescence period. Most adolescent girls spend a major part of their day on school premises. School absence during menstruation is vastly influenced by improper menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and poor menstrual hygiene practice. Furthermore, improper MHM is influenced by socio-cultural myths and restrictions, lack of menstruation, and its management-related knowledge and facilities.
Previous reports suggested, approximately 41% of Bangladeshi girls did not attend school while experiencing menstruation due to their unmet MHM needs in schools. Like schools, Madrasahs are also a major part of the secondary education sector of Bangladesh and 60% of the enrolled students in Madrasahs are girls. Unfortunately, prior reports state majority of the Madrasah girls to be poorly educated about menstruation related knowledge and some of the Madrasah gatekeepers showed resistance to adolescent sexual reproductive health including menstruation related interventions .
However, our nation cannot afford the school’s absence and deteriorated health due to mismanaged MHM. Therefore, it is essential to create MHM friendly environment in Madrasahs using the following recommendations:
• Provision of adequate MHM facilities like sanitary absorbent materials,gender-separated toilets, locked doors, sanitary material disposal system, and water sanitation and hygiene facilities
• Educational lessons on menstruation and its management can be provided to overcome menstruation-related illiteracy and taboos
• To avoid fear and confusion among the girls, educational lessons on menstruation and its management should be provided before they experience menarche (onset of menstruation)
• The educational lessons can be provided by female Madrasah teachers
• Both female and male Madrasah teachers should be trained on MHM related information
• Availability of health nurses to attend female students
• Psycho-social support for the adolescent girls as puberty comes with both emotional and physiological transition
Written by
Rasma Muzaffar Mentee, Women Support Initiative Forum
&
Bangladesh Society of Women in Public Health
