Menstrual Discrimination:

Menstrual Discrimination refers to taboos, shyness, shame, stigma, restrictions, abuses, violence, deprivation from resources that are associated with menstruation throughout the life cycle of menstruators (girls, women transmen, queer) and all people born with a uterus and ovaries (Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation, 2019). Menstrual Discrimination has been practiced everywhere across the globe with different names, forms and magnitudes. It is a type of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and a violation of human rights. It is complex and multifaceted.

Dignified Menstruation (DM):

DM is a state of freedom from any forms of menstrual discrimination includes taboos, stigmas, shyness, shame, abuse, restrictions and violence associated with menstruation throughout the life cycle of menstruators. Menstrual discrimination is not evidenced on any single day or event. It is a concern throughout the 24/7 hours and 365 days of a menstruators’ lifetimes from childhood to death – and in some cultures, even applies after death. Menstrual discrimination is more significant and urgent in humanitarian settings including pandemics and disasters where menstruators need equal access to care, services and hygienic products at public and private institutions — everywhere. Because Dignified Menstruation is a matter of human rights, founded on international human rights instruments and declarations of constitutional rights, including e.g. in Nepal, its name captures the innovative and comprehensive concept initiated in Nepal by the government of Nepal and the Radha Paudel Foundation (RPF).

Dignified Menstruation Day:

The 8th of December is International Dignified Menstruation Day, recognizing that DM is a concern of human rights and call to end menstrual discrimination as a form of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The 8th of December has particular significance in two ways: ) it falls in the month of December, which is designated as Human Rights Month; and 2) it falls on the 14th day of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism, an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Since 2019, Dignified Menstruation was launched by RPF and Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM). On the same day, the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens endorsed 8th December as Dignified Menstruation Day (DM Day). Partners of GSCDM in about 50 countries are engaged in promoting this campaign globally our effort from the event on December 8, 2022 will be another milestone.