Menstrual Health a Public Responsibility

NGO WASH Forum, Ministry of Education, calls for stronger policies and collective action to keep girls in school

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 -- 28-05-2026 -- Menstrual health is a serious public development issue, not a private or taboo matter, requiring urgent collective action, with stakeholders emphasizing that it is a public responsibility whose neglect affects education, equality, and national development.

Bubala Muyovwe, the Zambia NGO WASH Forum National Coordinator, said during the commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day that the Forum is calling for stronger policies, increased funding, and better integration of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) into national Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes to address persistent challenges affecting women and girls.

She said menstrual health remains under-prioritised despite its direct impact on education, dignity, and gender equality.

Muyovwe said many girls continue to miss school due to lack of sanitary products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and limited information on menstruation.

She identified key challenges including weak policy frameworks, limited financing, inadequate WASH infrastructure, and persistent stigma surrounding menstruation.

Muyovwe called for stronger policies and clear standards for menstrual-friendly facilities in schools and public spaces, alongside increased and sustained investment in menstrual health programmes.

She further said the Forum is urging the integration of menstrual health into broader WASH systems, including access to clean water, private sanitation facilities, and safe waste disposal mechanisms.

Assistant Director for School Health and Nutrition at the Ministry of Education, Maybin Luulu, observed that menstrual hygiene must be treated as a shared responsibility to ensure that no girl is excluded from education because of menstruation.

Luulu said menstrual health is not only a health issue, but also a matter of dignity, education, equality, and human rights.

He noted that many girls continue to face challenges such as limited access to sanitary materials, inadequate sanitation facilities, insufficient information on menstrual hygiene, and harmful myths and misconceptions.

According to Luulu, these challenges contribute to absenteeism, reduced classroom participation, and poor academic performance among learners.

He said the Ministry of Education remains committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where girls can manage menstruation with dignity and confidence without disruption to their education.

Luulu further called for strengthened collaboration among government institutions, schools, parents, communities, and cooperating partners in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges.

He also stressed the importance of empowering girls with accurate information and adequate resources to improve educational outcomes and promote gender equality.

Luulu urged stakeholders to break the silence surrounding menstruation and eliminate stigma, stressing that no girl should be disadvantaged in education because of a natural biological process.

Mbuwa Banda of the Girl Inspiration Group said menstrual hygiene is a responsibility that everyone must share in order to support and protect the girl child.

She said society must create an environment of empathy, care, and understanding, noting that menstruation is a natural reality that requires continuous support and proper management for every girl and young woman.

She further stressed that communities, families, schools, and institutions must stand in solidarity with girls and women by showing concern and care in promoting menstrual hygiene and dignity for all.

Healthy Learners Assistant Director of Innovation and Development, Demitria Walk of Healthy Learners, said menstrual hygiene management remains a challenge in schools due to limited education, weak infrastructure, and inconsistent access to sanitary materials. 

However, she noted growing opportunities driven by stronger partnerships and wider engagement, including the involvement of men in menstrual health discussions.

Walk said this growing participation is helping to break cultural barriers and improve understanding of the lived experiences of girls and women. 

She emphasized that sustained collaboration is essential to strengthen education and awareness at community and school level.

Similary, Healthy Learners Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Mandy Banda of Healthy Learners, said menstrual hygiene challenges cannot be resolved through awareness alone, but require both cultural and structural interventions.

She called for improved WASH infrastructure in schools, emphasizing the need for facilities that ensure privacy, dignity, and safety for girls.

Banda also raised concerns about unequal access to sanitary materials in schools and called for fair distribution systems to ensure no learner is left behind. 

She added that many schools still lack adequate infrastructure, with girls consistently expressing the need for private and safe spaces to manage menstruation.

Stakeholders, including the and the Ministry of Education, have called for stronger coordination among government, development partners, and civil society to ensure menstrual hygiene management is fully integrated into school health systems.