Let's Celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day!

Rakisha

Period.

Cycle.

Monthly. 

Aunt Flow.

Special visitor.

Shark Week.

 

Everyone who sheds their uterine lining has a special name for that time of the month. For some menstruators, getting a period is no big deal. It’s just another few days out of the month, but it’s a big deal for others. Some folks get periods with debilitating pain. For some trans men, it’s a painful reminder that their body and gender don’t align. And, for some people, it means having to stay home from work or school because they cannot afford menstrual hygiene products like maxi pads, tampons, or menstrual cups. There’s also still a stigma surrounding having a period in general. Because of this, Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) was born.

 

MH Day was initiated in 2013 by the German non-profit organization WASH United. Since then, every May 28th has been recognized as Menstrual Hygiene Day where individuals, government agencies, and non-profit companies from around the world join together in advocacy. Besides promoting good menstrual health and hygiene, MH Day also promotes:

  • Breaking the silence, raising awareness and changing negative social norms around menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), and
  • Engaging decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyze action for MHH at global, national and local levels.

 

In honor of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Brooklyn Public Library’s teen period advocacy group, the Cycle Alliance, will be hosting a Period Pantry every Monday through June 13. Menstruators of all genders are encouraged to come to the Central Library to pick up a period kit, which will include 7 tampons, 7 maxi pads, and a reusable period panty (as supplies last). Teens can also pick up Tip Sheets on how to be Cycle Ally and support the ending of period poverty and period stigma. 

 

For More Information:

On Instagram:

  • Aunt Flow, @goauntflow
  • Her Village, @wearehervillage
  • Period, the Menstrual Movement, @periodmovement
  • Her Period Dignity, @herperioddignity

 

This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.

 

Post a Comment

While BPL encourages an open forum, posts and comments are moderated by library staff. BPL reserves the right, within its sole discretion, not to post and to remove submissions or comments that are unlawful or violate this policy. While comments will not be edited by BPL personnel, a comment may be deleted if it violates our comment policy.

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
eNews Signup

Get the latest updates from BPL and be the first to know about new programs, author talks, exciting events and opportunities to support your local library.

Sign Up