REHOBOTH, Namibia  ̶  On May 28th, UNFPA-Namibia Country Representative Sheila Roseau joined the Hardap Regional Education Director and learners at Origo Primary School and other schools from the Hardap Region in marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day. 

World Menstrual Hygiene Day provided the opportunity to promote menstrual health, hygiene, and equity. The theme for this year's World Menstrual Hygiene Day is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”

Ms. Roseau opened her remarks by stating, “The beginning of puberty and the menstruation cycle are a fundamental and healthy aspect of the lives of women, girls and people who menstruate. This is a phase indicating and symbolising growth and development, yet usually characterised by anxiety, fear, shame, stigma and discrimination,” she stated.

She added: “Menstrual health is directly linked to the fulfilment of human rights and specifically reproductive rights, both as a precondition for attaining rights such as health and education, and also as a matter of dignity in its own right. It is an integral component to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and essential for the advancement of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development in Africa Beyond 2014 and the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.” 

She also praised and congratulated the Namibian Government’s recent decision to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) on menstrual products. She also expressed appreciation towards the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture, Ministry of Health and Social Services, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their collective support to conduct the first baseline Assessment on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Namibia. 

Ms. Roseau summarised the study adding that, “around one third of adolescent girls had not received information on menstrual hygiene and health prior to their first period. Among the girls that did receive information, 60% of girls received the information this from their life skills teacher, and around 40% from their mother.” 

She also noted that when schools wait to address menstrual health and hygiene until grade 7, it is too late for many girls to be prepared. There are also gaps in knowledge of what products are available for girls to use when they are menstruating.

“Many seem to use disposable pads, and only a few use tampons or reusable pads, as they either don’t know about the options available or do not have a choice in this area,” Roseau pointed out. COVID-19 has exacerbated these issues further. 

Ms. Roseau, however, remained optimistic. As she concluded her remarks, she noted that the President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency, Hage Geingob declared 2021 the 'Year of Resilience', specifically calling for unity and collaboration among Government ministries, UN agencies, non-governmtal organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) to tackle the challenges Namibia faces. 

Roseau reaffirmed that the UN would continue to support the Republic of Namibia and its citizens to improve the life of society at large.