NEW: Have a look at the new version of our IFRC menstrual hygiene management guidelines – July 2019
Have a look at our new IEC material in English, French, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese!
Menstrual Hygiene Management tools
Assessment |
Step 1: Identifying the problem
Step 2: Identifying target groups
Step 3: Analysing barriers and enablers for behaviour change |
Tool 1: Focus group discussion guide – assessment |
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Tool 2: Checklist for inclusive MHM friendly latrines
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Tool 3: Checklist for inclusive MHM friendly bathing areas | |||
Tool 4: Checklist for inclusive MHM friendly solid waste facilities |
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Tool 5: Cash programming for menstrual hygiene |
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Planning |
Step 4: Formulating menstrual hygiene objectives
Step 5: Planning |
Tool 6: Step-by-step tool for deciding priority MHM actions (based on assessment)
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Tool 7: Example MHM outputs, indicators and targets for the Emergency Plan of Action
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Tool 8: Minimum items to be included in dignity or MHM kits for menstrual hygiene |
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Implementation |
Step 6: Implementation |
Tool 9: IEC materials for disposable pads, reusable cloth pads and tampons (pre-developed, generic materials in English, French, Spanish and Arabic that can be adapted and translated) |
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Monitoring, evaluation & learning |
Step 7: Monitoring and evaluation
Step 8: Review, re-adjust
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Tool 10: Feedback and mitigation log (can also include rumours, complaints and misinformation)
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Tool 11: Post-distribution monitoring survey |
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Tool 12: Survey for post-distribution monitoring Tool 13: Checklist for MHM actions in humanitarian operations
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Humanitarian Innovation Funds (HIF) project / Disseminating IFRC’s Menstrual Hygiene Management experiences
Do you want to have a look on how is our project going and what are the next steps?
Humanitarian Innovations Funds
Menstrual Hygiene Day 28th of May / NoMoreLimits#
On Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018, the IFRC is advocating for improved actions to address the menstrual hygiene needs of women and girls in the humanitarian contexts. As you know, over 26 million displaced girls and women around the world face challenges such as the lack of access to menstrual supplies, difficulty in finding private and appropriate bathing, drying or latrine facilities, restrictions or stigmas from cultural taboos and traditional beliefs, and a lack of information.
To raise awareness of the challenges women and girls worldwide face due to their menstruation and highlights solutions that address these challenges, including through media work:
We’ve created a video and a series of assets to use as a Facebook and/or Instagram story. Some of could also be repurposed for Twitter.
• IFRC Menstrual Hygiene advocacy video
Assets for Facebook and instagram
• Video 1 option for Twitter
• Video 2 option for Twitter
• Video 3 Option for Twitter
• Video 4 Option for Twitter
Red Cross Red Crescent Menstrual Hygiene Webinar:
Title: Red Cross and Red Crescent experiences in Menstrual Hygiene Management Projects, May 2018
RCRC Menstrual Hygiene Webinar
Red Cross Red Crescent experiences in East Africa and recommendations for supporting women and girls with menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in emergencies.
Results from MHM operational research in four Eastern African countries showed improvements in dignity, health and knowledge after the distribution of MHM Kits and promotion of menstrual hygiene. Findings highlighted the importance of appropriate facilities, including safe and private spaces for maintain hygiene and washing, changing and drying pads. Details can be found here:
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ALNAP Case Study on Improving Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies: IFRC’s MHM Kit
Improving Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies: IFRC’s MHM Kit IFRC pilots projects were initiated in Madagascar, Somaliland and Uganda with funding from Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) and British Red Cross with an aim of testing the kits in a wider range of locations and contexts. The overall goal of the pilot and scale-up projects was to improve the dignity of women and adolescent girls during emergency situations by exploring the appropriateness, effectiveness, acceptability and value of MHM Kits in emergencies thus providing evidence based information for inclusion of MHM kits as a specific humanitarian relief item. IFRC’s MHM Kit specifications |
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HIF Evaluation Case Study: IFRC
IFRCs HIF project “Improving Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies” ran from October 2014 until March 2016 and was implemented by Red cross/ crescent in Somalia, Madagascar and Uganda. Although menstrual hygiene management is not a live death issue in emergency settings, it has profound impact upon women and adolescent girls -their dignity -their dignity, hygiene , health, education, protection and security- and there are consequential risks from not addressing it. Lack of provision and facilities during menstrual period (latrines, bathing areas, private drying areas) can lead to shame and embarrassment, possible gender-based violence, infection, loss of mobility and decreased school attendance. Whilst these issues, and the cultural practices associated with menstruation, face millions of poor women across the developing world , needs are particularly acute in emergency settings where women have very few resources. The HIF grant was for the implement stage of the innovation cycle and funded and operational research , part of this stages is this the evaluation done in June 2017. HIF IFRC Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergency evaluation |
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Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Emergencies: Consolidated Report
Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies: Consolidated Report
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Operational research on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) kits for emergencies
Case study and results from pilot research on MHM kits in Bwagiriza refugee camp, Burundi, 2013 |
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Columbia University aim to expand the evidence and guidance on MHM during emergencies
Columbia University Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies
Menstrual Hygiene Management in Emergencies IEC material Eastern Africa
IEC materials (English, French, Kiswahili and Kirundi) have been developed for disposable and reusable sanitary pads. They include general information on menstruation, personal hygiene, as well as use, care and disposal. Download them by clicking on the links below! |
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IFRC MHM flyer_Reusable_Swahili IFRC MHM flyer_Disposable_Swahili |
IFRC MHM flyer_Reusable_Kirundi IFRC MHM flyer_Disposable_Kirundi |
Menstrual Hygiene Resources and links
VRCS TC Pam Recovery_Q2_menstrual health_ West-Tanna 2016 (002).docx
Menstrual Hygiene Matters Toolkit (WaterAid/SHARE, co-published by 18 organisations)
Menstrual hygiene management in emergencies: Gaps and recommendations
Menstruation hygiene management for schoolgirls in low-income countries
WaterAid: Is menstrual hygiene and management an issue for adolescent school girls? A comparative study of four schools in different settings of Nepal
IFRC Upholding women and girls’ dignity: managing menstrual hygiene in emergency situations