Annual Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) is observed on 28 May and is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of dignified Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) to educate, empower, and transform the conversation around menstrual health, addressing the challenges women and girls face due to lack of menstrual hygiene products, clean water, and sanitation facilities. Improved MHM helps reduce school absenteeism by promoting access to menstrual hygiene products, allowing girls to continue their education without interruption, ensuring that menstruation is not a barrier to education, work, and opportunities. Spreading knowledge and advocacy about proper menstrual hygiene practices prevent infections and health issues, engaging men, women, and communities in open conversations about menstruation challenges and taboos and promote gender equality and breaking the silence.
The official MHD movement focuses on the long-term mission: Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, whilst the continental focus of the African Union Commission, during Africa Month, is to champion Menstrual Dignity and Expand Gender-Responsive WASH Infrastructure Across Africa under the theme, Dignity in Every Flow: Advancing Gender-Responsive WASH for Africa’s Future. In South Africa, as many as 4,500 schools do not have access to basic sanitation facilities, making it harder for girls to manage their periods at schools. These challenges underscore the importance of the DBE’s efforts to create #PeriodPositiveSchools.
A DBE delegation consisting of Dr Granville Whittle, Deputy Director-General for Sector Care and Support Services; Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education; and Ms Dululu Hlatshaneni, Deputy Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, attended a Menstrual Health Management and Sanitary Dignity Colloquium in Parliament on 1 April 2026. The Colloquium was part of an intergovernmental briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, focusing on the provision of menstrual hygiene products for girls and women, with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) also in attendance.
Mr Bottoman affirmed the DBE’s support for the Sanitary Dignity Framework to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged or excluded from learning due to menstrual health: “The Menstrual Health Management Guidelines were developed to support schools in implementing effective and dignified responses. Menstrual health is also embedded in the curriculum particularly through Life Skills and Life Orientation. This is further strengthened through Comprehensive Sexuality Education which equips learners with knowledge, values and skills necessary to safeguard their health and wellbeing. The DBE also leverages existing frameworks like the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) framework to enhance WASH implementation. The recent DBE Indaba on Menstrual Health Management and Sanitary Dignity reaffirmed the need for stronger multi-departmental coordination, improved monitoring and evaluation and partnerships as we work towards universal access. Along with an intergovernmental approach, Public Private Partnerships have proven to be successful in expanding access, however, product mix and product choice is an answer and will uphold a body autonomy principle for young women and girls”.
A coordinated approach to Menstrual Health Management and Sanitary Dignity is required to ensure that period poverty is holistically and adequately addressed. The first combined briefing on the Sanitary Dignity Framework took place a year ago and it is imperative that these discussions about menstrual health continue in respect of policy, budget, provision, and early introduction of menstrual health education in schools. Going forward, the groundwork laid by the various departments will be elaborated on for continued deliberations and coordination to end period poverty.