MSF advocates for the inclusion of boys and men in menstrual health discussions

MSF, an international humanitarian organisation, advocated yesterday for the inclusion of men and boys in discussions about menstrual health in order to minimize gender inequality.

Grace Mavhezha, MSF's communications manager, made the announcement during World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations at their Epworth youth centre.

"We want to address persistent discrimination and stigma." "With most cases, boys and men are marginalised," Mavhevha said, "but we are now involving them to ensure that adolescent sexual reproductive health is sustainable."

Every year on May 28, the world observes World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This year's theme was "Making Menstruation a Natural Factor of Life by 2030."

"We encourage men to get involved, buy pads, and support the girls so that they can remain in school because most girls don't go to school during their menstruation," Mavhezha explained. Mavhezha stated that taboos and myths surrounding menstruation must be dispelled in order to provide comfortable and safe menstrual supplies to the girl child.

For Zimbabwean girls, especially those from low-income families or living in rural areas, adolescence and puberty are difficult developmental stages. Because of the silence, taboo, and stigma,  surrounding menstruation, young girls are unaware of how to deal with it.