The month of May 2026 marked a powerful and impactful chapter in our menstrual hygiene advocacy journey. Unlike previous years, this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Month campaign extended far beyond community sensitization alone. It became a movement of conversations, awareness, advocacy, media engagement, and community transformation.
For one full month, we intentionally created spaces where menstrual health could be discussed openly, honestly, and without shame.
Taking the Conversation to the Media
One of the major highlights of this year’s campaign was our extensive media engagement. Understanding the role media plays in shaping public perception and driving social change, we engaged multiple media platforms to amplify conversations around menstrual hygiene and menstrual dignity.
Throughout the campaign, we were featured on about three to four radio stations and one television station, where critical discussions were held on:
- Menstrual hygiene and health education
- Period poverty and access to sanitary products
- Harmful myths and stigma surrounding menstruation
- The importance of involving men and boys in menstrual health conversations
- The need for safe and supportive environments for girls and women during menstruation
These conversations helped push menstrual hygiene discussions into homes, communities, and public spaces, reaching audiences beyond the physical communities we visited.
Community Sensitization in Tole Community
A major milestone of the campaign was our comprehensive menstrual hygiene workshop and sensitization program held in the community of Tole.
Over 100 young girls between the ages of 9 and 22 participated in this impactful gathering focused on education, empowerment, confidence-building, and breaking stigma.
The session created a safe and engaging environment where girls were able to openly discuss issues surrounding menstruation, many for the first time without fear, shame, or embarrassment.
Topics covered during the workshop included:
- Understanding menstruation and menstrual health
- Proper menstrual hygiene management
- Debunking myths and misconceptions around menstruation
- Self-esteem and body confidence
- Access to sanitary products and menstrual care
- The role of boys and men in supporting menstrual health conversations
- Building supportive communities for girls and women
One of the most important aspects of the training was the intentional inclusion of conversations around male engagement. Menstrual hygiene is not only a women’s issue, it is a community issue. Breaking stigma requires everyone, including boys and men, to be educated and involved in creating safe, respectful, and supportive environments.
The level of participation, openness, and interaction from the girls throughout the session reflected the urgent need for continued menstrual health education and advocacy in our communities.
Breaking Myths, Building Confidence
For many years, menstruation has been surrounded by silence, misinformation, shame, and cultural myths that negatively affect girls and women. Through this campaign, we intentionally challenged those harmful narratives by creating room for honest conversations and factual education.
Girls were encouraged to ask questions, share experiences, and understand that menstruation is natural, healthy, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Beyond hygiene education, the campaign focused on restoring dignity, confidence, and self-worth among young girls.
A Month of Impact and Advocacy
This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Month campaign reminded us that advocacy becomes more powerful when communities, media platforms, young people, and organizations come together for a common cause.
From radio discussions to television engagement, from community sensitization to one-on-one conversations, every activity carried one message: menstrual health matters.
As we officially wrap up the 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Month campaign, we remain committed to continuing the conversation, breaking stigma, promoting menstrual dignity, and ensuring that every girl has access to accurate information, safe spaces, and the support she deserves.
This may be the end of the month-long campaign, but it is not the end of the movement.
Together, we continue to break the silence and build a future where no girl is held back because of menstruation