Observed every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual health and hygiene while challenging the stigma and silence surrounding menstruation. The date — 28/5 — symbolically represents the average menstrual cycle of 28 days and the average duration of menstruation, which is around five days.
Despite being a natural biological process, menstruation continues to be treated as a taboo in many parts of the world. Millions of girls and women still face discrimination, misinformation and lack of access to proper sanitary products, clean toilets and healthcare facilities. In several communities, periods are associated with shame, leading many girls to miss school, avoid social interactions or suffer in silence.
Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as a reminder that menstrual health is not just a women’s issue, but a matter of dignity, education, equality and public health. Access to safe menstrual products, proper sanitation and accurate information is essential for the well-being and confidence of menstruating individuals.
Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections and other health complications. Experts stress the importance of using clean sanitary products, changing them regularly, maintaining personal hygiene and disposing of menstrual waste safely. In recent years, awareness around sustainable menstrual products such as menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads has also increased, encouraging both affordability and environmental responsibility.
Schools, governments, NGOs and healthcare organisations across the world observe the day through awareness campaigns, workshops and health drives. In India too, several initiatives have focused on making sanitary pads affordable and improving menstrual education, especially in rural areas where awareness remains limited.
Equally important is the need to break social myths around menstruation. Conversations about periods should be normalised at homes, schools and workplaces so that young girls grow up with confidence instead of embarrassment. Men and boys also have an important role in supporting open dialogue and ending stigma.
The theme of Menstrual Hygiene Day goes beyond hygiene alone — it is about ensuring that no one is held back because of a natural biological process. By promoting awareness, education and access, the day encourages society to create a world where menstruation is treated with understanding, respect and dignity rather than silence and shame.