LEBANON, FROM PERIOD POVERTY TO PERIOD POSITIVITY

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in schools

Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese households both face significant menstrual care challenges. In Lebanon, approximately 2 million women aged 15 to 49 struggle with limited access to menstrual products. About 30% report restrictions on food and hygiene items to afford menstrual products. These burdens significantly impact education and health as girls miss school due to a lack of knowledge and resources for menstrual products, exposing them to health risks. According to the gender analysis conducted by the Lebanese Red Cross, 62% of girls reported not to be satisfied with the place they change their sanitary pads at school, 37% reported not to feel safe while using sanitation facilities and 97% of the girls do not have access to reliable information regarding menstrual hygiene management.  

Through funding from the Austrian Development Agency, the Lebanese and Austrian Red Cross are actively promoting comprehensive menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools. This initiative aims to enhance girls' dignity by providing clean toilets, education, menstrual products, hygiene guidance, and stigma reduction. The goal is to improve the quality of life, enhance girls' educational participation, and combat societal prejudices and stigma. 

In March 2023, the project initiated MHM sessions in multiple schools, reaching nearly 2,000 students to date. These awareness sessions included the provisions of MHM kits, with monthly distributions ongoing. Additionally, a sanitary pad dispenser was successfully installed in one school for emergency usage. LRC volunteers received highly positive feedback during follow-up kit distributions, with students expressing keen interest and effective usage of the provided items. A systematic review will assess the activities' overall effectiveness.