Closing the menstrual health gap

We are committed to improving the well-being of women across life stages, fostering an environment where women in all their diversity can thrive. This includes menstrual health, which encompasses the complete physical, mental, and social well-being related to the menstrual cycle—from the first to the last period, from menarche to menopause.

What is the menstrual health gap?

1.8 billion people menstruate every month. Yet millions of girls, women, transgender men, and non-binary persons are unable to manage their menstrual cycle in a dignified and healthy way.

When we talk about the menstrual health gap, we refer to disparities and inequalities related to menstrual health and well-being. Closing this gap will enable more people to fully participate and engage in school, work, and social life and unfold their full potential, which could boost the global economy.

Our partnerships to advance access to menstrual health

5 Nana Libresse Bodyform Taboo_1920x1080.jpg

Taboo and stigma-free environment: Not everyone who menstruates lives in a taboo and stigma-free environment.

A recently Essity-initiated employer survey in Sweden revealed:

- 55% of women between 18-55 do not feel 100% comfortable talking openly about menstruation at work.

- Roughly 10% report that they have witnessed discrimination and mocking at the workplace in relation to menstruation.

- Roughly 25% are unsatisfied, and 40% are on the fence regarding their workplace’s efforts concerning menstrual health.

^{Source: Sifopanelen, Kantar, 2023.}

Access to inclusive, accurate information and education:

Access to inclusive, accurate information and education is essential – weather you menstruate or not. It is clear however, that not everyone who menstruates has access to necessary knowledge and information about the menstrual cycle.

- In Essity’s Global Hygiene and Health Survey from 2022, only 55% of respondents claimed to be knowledgeable about menstruation. The same study revealed that only 40% of fathers have ever talked about menstruation with their daughters, and the percentage drops even further for conversations with their sons.

^{Source: Hygiene and Health Survey, Essity, 2022}

Access to clean water and sanitation facilities

Access to clean water and sanitation facilities for washing the body and hands, changing period care products, and cleaning or disposing of used products, all in privacy, dignity, and safety, is essential.

- At least 367 million children globally have no sanitation services in their schools, which creates barriers to achieving good menstrual health.

^{Source: UNICEF and WHO in 2020 on the Progress on drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools: Special focus on COVID-19.}

Product access: Access to safe and affordable period products, solutions and services is essential for menstrual health.

Around 500 million people lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities.

^{Source: https://www.joghr.org/article/32436-period-poverty-why-it-should-be-everybody-s-business}

Blood normal

Contrary to popular belief, women don’t bleed blue liquid, they bleed blood. Periods are normal. Showing them should be too.

It's never just a period. It's so much more.

We’re so often misled, dismissed, minimised. What we’re told to expect doesn’t match up to what it’s actually like. If you’ve ever been surprised by your own body, if you’ve ever wished you had more answers, if you’ve ever been told it’s “just a period”, this film’s for you.

Never just a period – Bodyform™

Menopause and incontinence advice from TENA

Almost half of women say that they were unprepared for the menopause. Let’s change that with TENA’s #lastlonelymenopause

Learn more

#wombstories

#wombstories are never simple. But all of them – the weird and the wonderful, the happy and the sad – need to be heard. Campaign by Bodyform

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Hygiene and Health Report 2023-2024

Read more about Investing in Women+’s and Girls’ Health and Well-Being.

Hygiene and Health Report 2023-2024

Issviva

Did you know that in some parts of the world, #menopause is associated with disease? Or that menopausal women can become pregnant? There are countless stigmas, myths and misinformation around this transition. To raise awareness and break the taboo surrounding it, #Essity has launched #Issviva. stages of menopause.

Find out more:

#periodsomnia

A good night’s rest is a fundamental part of our health and wellbeing. The shame and stigma that permeates the experience of having your period in the day doesn’t go away at night.

Find out more:

Modibodi All-Gender Collection

Modibodi is for every body, which is why we’re so proud to introduce our All-Gender Collection of period underwear.

See the collection:

TENA

TENA is trusted by millions of women all over the world to manage bladder weakness. Encouraging women to be who they are and live the life they want and deserve has always been our top priority. Today, let’s take the opportunity to reflect on all the progress being made in our fight for equality.

#AgeOfRenewal

The campaign "No More" calls on Women in the middle East to challenge the phrase “Age of Despair”, which is the Arabic name for menopause, and replace it with words that reflect this stage of a woman’s life more positively

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Closing the menstrual health gap