“Breaking the Taboo: How Menstrual Education is Changing Lives in Ethiopia”

In Sheno, Ethiopia, a primary school has taken a groundbreaking step in educating both girls and boys about menstruation. Genet Birhanu, a menstrual educator at the school, fearlessly teaches the topic to fourth graders, breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation. This initiative is part of a program developed in partnership with UNICEF, aimed at providing menstrual education and sanitary pads to students.

A recent UNICEF report revealed that only 39% of schools worldwide offer education on menstruation. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the lack of basic hygiene support is prevalent, only 1 in 10 schools have waste bins in bathrooms for disposing of sanitary pads. This lack of infrastructure, coupled with the stigma surrounding menstruation, often leads to girls missing school during their periods.

Kalkidan Gugsa, a social and behavior change specialist at UNICEF in Ethiopia, highlighted the challenges faced by girls, including teasing from boys and a lack of access to information on menstrual health. To address these issues, schools in Ethiopia have integrated menstruation education into biology lessons, starting in fourth grade. Additionally, a program supported by UNICEF offers additional lessons on menstrual health and hygiene.

To make students comfortable, Birhanu conducts separate sessions for girls and boys before bringing them together to discuss the importance of menstruation and dispel shame surrounding the topic. Peer mentors, like Asdenaki Dereje, play a crucial role in encouraging their peers to attend these sessions and stay in school during their periods.

Marni Sommer, a professor at Columbia University, emphasized the importance of involving boys and men in menstrual education. Access to clean toilets and appropriate waste disposal facilities is also crucial in supporting girls and women in schools. Sommer highlighted the universal nature of menstrual stigma, stressing the need for open conversations and education on the topic.

Birhanu, drawing from her own experience of shame and fear surrounding menstruation, advocates for open dialogue and understanding within communities. She encourages both males and females to talk openly about menstruation and break the silence and stigma surrounding the topic.

The initiative at the Sheno Primary School in Ethiopia serves as a model for addressing menstrual health and hygiene in schools, emphasizing the importance of education, access to resources, and open communication to ensure that all students can participate fully in their education.