Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

Meeting Girls’ Rights in ZambiaSarah Fry, MPH, Sr. Hygiene Programming Advisor

USAID WASHplus/FHI360

Access to WASH in schools◦ No gender friendly WASH facilities or programs prevent girls

from managing menstruation with dignity Full education (minimum primary)

◦ Lack of MHM pushes girls out of school - missing classes or dropping out

Access to quality health (especially reproductive) services and information◦ Lack of knowledge about puberty can result in early

pregnancy◦ Poor or no MHM can lead to health problems (infections)

MHM Rights and Barriers

Equal treatment with boys◦ Poor MHM puts girls at educational disadvantage◦ Girls’ puberty often = marriageable age

Psychosocial well-being◦ Taboos and unhelpful beliefs cause shame◦ Bullying and teasing by boys cause fear ◦ Violence can result from shaming of family (stains on skirt)◦ Silence about MHM causes fear, shame, confusion, depression

MHM Rights and Barriers

SPLASH = Schools Promoting Learning Achievement through Sanitation and Hygiene

ObjectiveTo sustainably improve access to safe water, adequate sanitation, hygiene information and health practices in order to improve learning environments and educational performance in Zambian primary schools.

SPLASH Zambia• 4 year (2011 -2015) school WASH program• Funded by USAID, managed by FHI360 and CARE• Reaching 370 schools and 250,000 pupils in

Eastern Province• Construction of water and sanitation facilities• Providing hygiene education to teachers and

pupils• Advocating for WASH/MHM in all schools

• 4 districts• 370 primary

schools

2012 Baseline Facilities Survey shows

70% of schools had access to water supply (but functionality a big problem)

Only 13% treated their drinking water 28% had handwashing facilities, (but not used and

no soap) The average ratio of girl pupil to toilet was 207:1 MHM was non existent and not discussed

How SPLASH does MHM

1. Awareness raising and advocacy2. Improved access to facilities and products3. Learning, teaching and training4. Integration into MOE systems 5. Useful documents and teaching aids on MHM

Awareness raising and advocacy• Visual brand and slogan for MHM – Let’s Talk About It!• Qualitative research on MHM to understand cultural norms• MHM exhibitions at central schools• Celebration of MH Day with high ranking officials and media• Inclusion of community and traditional leaders in MHM

programs

Special emphasis on including boys and men

Improving access to school sanitation facilities

A school toilet before….

And after!

Female teachersneed safe clean toilets too

Improved access to MHM products• Pad provision via PTAs and school budgets• Local reusable pad production in schools• PPP for reusable pad production and distribution to schools

Educational activities• MHM included in national curriculum• In-service teacher training on MHM and puberty topics• Both male and female guidance and counseling

teachers trained in MHM • After school WASH clubs have MHM activities for boys

and girls

Integration in Ministry of Education Systems• MHM in provincial and district strategic

plans• MHM indicators in school monitoring tool• MHM module developed for provincial

teacher training college

3. Menstrual Hygiene Managementa. Does the school have washrooms for girls? Yes No

b. Do washrooms have water? Yes No. Soap? Yes No

b. Do girls’ toilets have facilities for disposal of menstrual soiled sanitary towels?

(check one) Yes Noc. What method of disposal of soiled sanitary towels exist in the school?

(check one)

Burying Burning (incinerator) Other (Specify) ................................

d. Does the school provide sanitary towels for the girls? (check one) Yes No

e. Does the school offer Menstrual Hygiene Management education to the girls?

(check records) Yes No

f. If yes above, how often is this done?

Beginning of each term Once in a term Twice in a term Three times in a term

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIAMINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EARLY EDUCATION

PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICEEASTERN PROVINCE

CONFIDENTIAL SCHOOL INSPECTION INSTRUMENT

Useful documents and teaching aids on MHM• Toolkit for Teachers• Pad pattern booklet• In-service teacher training

module• Games and other classroom

and WASH club resources

How to Make a Reusable Pad!

Successes and Lessons so far• Silence and taboos can break down very fast if there is

something positive offered• MHM can and should be integrated into the existing

school system through advocacy, training, materials, activities and events

• MHM can and should be included in school performance indicators and assessment tools

• Boys are very interested in MHM and love to make pads!

Challenges• Pockets of resistance remain due to strong

taboo and ignorance • Materials for making reusable pads are not

always available• Lack of availability of pads in general• Scaling up to national level

Early (anecdotal) evidence of impact• Increased enrollment and reduced absenteeism• strengthened school-home linkages • Increased engagement by boys and men• improved the psychosocial environment through

open discussions and innovative activities

SPLASH Longitudinal Outcome Survey ongoing now is assessing the impact of WASH and MHM on girls’ attendance

Thank you!

Visit www.washplus.org/countries/zambiaContact sfry@fhi360.org