Improving Menstrual Health and Hygiene for Vietnam's Young Girls

In some places, menstruation is viewed as “embarrassing” or “dirty.”

Thanks to a project's interventions, menstruation - from a "sensitive" topic - is now openly discussed by both students and teachers to breakdown the associated norms.

In Vietnam, adolescent youth coming of age are a large and growing segment of society, including nearly 18% of the total population. In secondary schools, where adolescent girls ages 10-19 years old, are experiencing lower menstruation for the first time, menstrual health management (MHM) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education has not been officially introduced into the curriculum and teachers are significant untrained in the subject in Vietnam.

As results, one third of adolescent youth in Vietnam lack access to essential information on MHM and SRH. Adolescent girls are at greater risk for unwanted, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and infections of the reproductive tract.

Uninformed boys may show insensitivity to the challenges girls face in managing menstruation, thereby further contributing to misconceptions, stigma, and unhealthy behaviors. However, access to accurate information and materials addresses the stigmas surrounding menstrual hygiene and SRH can empower boys and men to challenge stigma and convince them of the need to be engaged to promote good MHM and SRH practices.

At the closing workshop of the project "Vietnamese girl leadership on menstrual hygiene management".

The project "Vietnamese girl leadership on menstrual hygiene management" is implemented by Plan International Vietnam in partnership with the Women Union in Hanoi and Quang Binh province from 2020 - 2023, sponsored by Kimberly Clark Vietnam Foundation.

After three years, the project has provided adolescent girls with the necessary knowledge of sexual reproductive health through almost 360 training workshops; school-based communication events for over 10,000 students; and established 17 Leaders of Change clubs.

The project also supported the community through awareness-raising activities and other facilities, such as 42 seminars/workshops with almost 2,300 attendants from teachers and students; 4,200 members of the Mom-Daughter clubs; 13,507 menstrual pads were given to 9,500 program participants. In addition, online webinars and contests have also gained great interest and participation from over 10,000 students from both areas.

At the event, Truong Thi Thu Thuy, a member of the Department of Family and Social Affair under the Vietnam Women Union, acknowledged the great successes further of the project, and wished for partnership in continuing and expanding the scope of the project, so that more can be "confident in themselves".

Meanwhile, "Stop THAT Stigma" is a communication campaign designed by youth activists from the Leader of Change club working with Plan International Vietnam.

On any given day, around 300 million women and girls around the world will be on their period. The idea of ​​menstruation - a natural and healthy part of life - is still considered “sensitive” and “shameful” to many people, even among girls.

The initiative focuses on sharing perspectives and stories of menstrual experiences through an optimistic, positive lens. By bringing the topic closer to the community, the project team hopes that everyone can discuss and share their views, towards building a safer and more equal life for girls.

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