Feminine Hygiene Management in Emergencies
2 hour session for a medical focussed NGO integrated into 2 learning days for Public
Health team staff
Session Plan
Key learning
points



What are the issues for women and girls in an emergency related to feminine
/ menstrual hygiene management?
o The basics, taboos, myths, adolescent girls, health related
o Practical issues – sanitary material options, hygiene, privacy,
washing / drying / disposing of sanitary materials
Why does it need to be considered in emergencies – additional challenges?
What should be the role / responsibility of the NGO in responding to the
challenges of MHM in emergencies?
Time
13.30 – 15.30 (2 hrs)
Methodologies
PowerPoint presentation; Video; Plenary discussion; Discussion over visual aids
table; Group work discussion on scenarios
Visual aids

PPT presentation

Video from US – young women talking about the taboos around menstruation
including the myths

Range of sanitary materials – different types of cloth
(texture/colour/thickness), disposable pads; re-useable pads; pads for
women who have just given birth; looped pads with belt; etc; tampons;
menstrual sponges; menstrual cup; underwear.

Two examples of aids for teaching women and girls how to manage their
pads (Uganda & Pakistan).

Examples of girl’s books from different countries (Tanzania, Ghana,
Afghanistan; Cambodia; Sierra Leone); plus teachers training materials.

Laminated pictures of different designs of toilet, bathing and menstrual
hygiene units; of waste disposal containers; of end disposal options; plus hot
water bottle for pain (Zimbabwe).

Theatrical blood plus syringe.
For group work – possibly to provide the three groups with case scenarios and
the following visual aids:

Group 1 – Visual aids from Uganda relating to improving the WASH elements
of home based care of women / girls with HIV during their menstruation
(plastic pants; menstrual period management; disposal of blood soaked
materials); and associated card noting ‘How to ensure that carers are kept
safe without causing fear and increasing stigma? Remember also that this
type of blood in most cultures = connected to sexual reproduction; a great
taboo; shameful; not usually discussed even between women’.

Group 2 – Blood stained sanitary pads and cloth; and associated card noting
that ‘Dealing with menstruation can be messy. This type of blood in most
cultures = connected to sexual reproduction; a great taboo; shameful; not
usually discussed even between women’.

Group 3 - A light coloured bowl / bucket with a blood stained menstrual cloth
soaking and the resulting blood stained water; and associated card noting
‘Consider the practicalities – to clean a blood stained cloth its best to first
soak it in cold water. This type of blood in most cultures = connected to
sexual reproduction; a great taboo; shameful; not usually discussed even
between women’
Session plan
5 mins


Introductions of participants and facilitators
Introduction to the session – in 3 parts
40 mins

Presentation on key issues (30 mins):
o Physiology
o Practicalities?
o Myths / taboos
o Implications for women and girls in emergencies
o Health and MHM and menstruation
o Why important to consider MHM in emergencies
o Importance of consultation
o Sanitary protection materials
o Drying and storing
o Privacy and WASH facilities
o Accessibility
o Disposal
o MHM guidance
o Boys and men
o Training staff / building confidence
o Menstrual hygiene matters resource

During the presentation to show some parts of the US video to highlight the
taboo nature of the subject plus the myths (10 mins)
30 mins

Chance to look at and touch the various sanitary protection materials, books
and other visual aids and to discuss as a group
25 mins


Group work on the three case scenarios:
o MHM in health facilities
o MHM and HIV and home based care
o MHM in IDP camp context
Each with specific questions including one questioning if the organisation has
any responsibility to consider MHM in this context?
20 mins

Other notes
Feedback and discussion