By Elizabeth Adlung
Connecting menstruation to adolescent girls staying in school is not obvious. The stigma attached to menstruation is just not talked about. More and more women are joining the Rotary SMA Midday and all members know that the education that defeats stigma is also a way out of poverty.
A priority of Shekhar Mehta, Rotary International President, is gender equality. In many countries one of women’s economic disadvantages is that five days a month, they are less able to work. Menstruation is one of the main reasons girls drop out of school after puberty, have children earlier, and remain in poverty.
Days for Girls began in 2008 when Founder Celeste Mergens was working with a foundation in Kenya assisting an orphanage near Nairobi. Upon inquiring about the menstrual health practices of the many girls at the orphanage, Mergens learned that many were sitting on cardboard in their rooms for several days each month, not able to go to school and often going without food unless someone would bring it to them.
Rotary Midday welcomes Becca Pohl and Hana Figueroa, “Menstrual Health Ambassadors” working in Lake Chapala, Mexico, using the Days for Girls model. Pohl designed and manufactures a reusable sanitary pad made especially for Mexico. Figueroa delivers menstrual education workshops that empower girls with menstrual and self-care education and eliminate one of the major barriers for girls to continue their studies.
According to the Days for Girls website: “Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to menstruation. Access to timely, accurate health information is critical to defeating the stigma around menstruation and building a more equitable world.” (See www.DaysForGirls.org)
Join us this Tuesday, January 18, at 9:30am to welcome Figueroa and Pohl to learn more about shattering the stigma around menstruation. To attend, go to the Midday Rotary Club website at www.rotarysmamidday.org and sign up. You’ll receive an email with instructions on being a part of this week’s meeting. Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. Note: Meetings at Hotel Real de las Minas follow Covid protocols. For more information, contact President Skip Essick at skipessickmedia@gmail.com.
Rotary Presentation
“Taboos Against Menstruators Must Go!”
Tue, Jan 18, 9:30am
Zoom or Hotel Real de las Minas
Ancha de San Antonio 1, Centro
Free
