On 28th May, in recognition of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Lake Health and Wellbeing and the Department of Gender Affairs, Nevis, hosted a webinar entitled “Supporting Women’s and Girls’ Menstrual Health at Home, at Work, in School and in the Community.”
Observed annually on 28th May, Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global movement that seeks to break stigma, improve menstrual health education and ensure that women and girls can manage menstruation safely and with dignity. The theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” highlighted the importance of collective action in creating environments where menstruation is accepted as normal and women and girls are supported in every aspect of their menstrual health.
Led by global organisation WASH United, the campaign encourages countries, communities and organisations to take action in five key areas: creating period-friendly social environments, improving period education, ensuring access to menstrual products, providing period-friendly bathrooms and strengthening menstrual health services.
Against this backdrop, our webinar brought together participants from across the Caribbean for a much-needed discussion about menstrual health and the changes needed to support women and girls more effectively.
The session featured an excellent panel of speakers and panellists, including:
- Hon. Jahnel Nisbett, Minister of Health, Gender Affairs and Social Empowerment, Nevis Island Administration
- Saros Hendrickson, Director, Department of Gender Affairs, Nevis
- Nyoka Gumbs, Community Health Advocate
- Sasha-Gay MacDermott, Guidance Counsellor Coordinator, Ministry of Education
- Tanya Ambrose, Founder and CEO, Scrub Life Cares
- Odelia Thomas, Founder and President, SVG Association of Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and PCOS
- Madixia Broomes, Vice President, Trinidad and Tobago Endometriosis Association
During the session, speakers explored the importance of menstrual health as a public health, education and gender issue, while addressing the challenges women and girls face in managing menstruation at home, in schools and at work.
Discussions also highlighted menstrual health conditions that can significantly affect quality of life, including fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS/PMOS), raising awareness of the need for earlier recognition, support, treatment and compassionate responses to women’s experiences.
Panellists reflected on the work being undertaken by government departments, civil society organisations and advocates to improve menstrual health education, tackle stigma and create supportive environments for women and girls. The conversation reinforced the message that creating a period-friendly world requires action across all spaces women and girls occupy.
We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, panellists, participants and partners who contributed to this important discussion and helped make the webinar such a success.
Department of Gender Affairs Infographic
As part of efforts to continue the conversation beyond Menstrual Hygiene Day, the team at the Department of Gender Affairs prepared an excellent infographic (see below) capturing the key themes, reflections and issues raised during the webinar. This resource provides a valuable overview of the discussion and practical insights into how we can collectively better support menstrual health and wellbeing.
We would love to hear from you
Thank you for visiting our website. We value your feedback and would be very grateful if you could share your thoughts on this article and any supporting information that was presented. This will help us improve our website content. You can complete a short 3-question survey here
12
