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The Bhutanese government yesterday pledged to make all schools in Bhutan menstruation-friendly within five years to strengthen and improve menstrual health and hygiene management.
Minister for Education and Skill Development Yeezang De Thapa made the announcement during the Menstrual Hygiene Day commemorations at Norbugang Central School in Samtse.
This commitment appears to be achievable, as 63% of schools in Bhutan have mechanisms for menstrual hygiene waste disposal, compared to the global average of 31%. In addition, 41% of schools have covered menstrual hygiene waste disposal bins, and 46% have changing rooms for the management of menstrual hygiene products.
“A menstrual-friendly society must have sound policies that ensure inclusive, affordable and accessible menstrual products and services for all, so that people do not have to choose between managing their periods and participating in daily activities,” said Leonpo Yezan de Tapa.
The meeting pointed out that schools should be equipped with clean facilities and reliable water supply to ensure hygiene and safety for women during menstruation. Schools should also provide adequate privacy, have secure doors and partitions, provide appropriate disposal bins for menstrual waste, and provide basic menstrual supplies such as sanitary napkins in emergency situations.
The Education Minister said making Bhutan a menstruation-friendly country is an achievable goal for Red Dot Bhutan with the support of development partners and civil society organisations (CSOs).
She acknowledged that over more than a decade, the Red Dot Bhutan Project, an advocacy platform that raises awareness on menstrual hygiene management under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Eupelma Jyoten Wangchuck, has achieved some important successes.
As the lead agency for the Red Dot Design Competition Bhutan, the Ministry of Defence of Bhutan will provide the required support to this collective effort.
“On Menstrual Hygiene Day, I want to emphasize the importance of raising awareness and breaking the taboos around menstruation. To this end, education, advocacy and open dialogue are vital for us, especially for men and boys,” Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said in a video message.
Kencho Wangdi, SNV Country Director, similarly said that for a menstruation-friendly Bhutan, the role and support of fathers, teachers, brothers and male colleagues is crucial. “It is equally important, if not more important, to address the menstrual health and hygiene needs and challenges of women and girls with disabilities,” he said.
UNICEF Representative to Bhutan Andrea James said UNICEF will support the Ministry of Education and its partners to achieve this goal and provide inclusive menstruation-friendly facilities for young girls and women in Bhutan.
“Bhutan’s progress in menstrual hygiene is commendable,” she said.
A report titled “Progress in Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools 2000-2023” released by UNICEF and the World Health Organization pointed out that Bhutan is one of the 24 countries out of 51 that are expected to achieve universal basic sanitation coverage by 2030.
Basic health services mean that schools have gender-specific, accessible and adequate health facilities.
More than 10,000 teachers and students from Samtsa Dzong participated in the Menstrual Hygiene Day commemorations.
Yeshi Tshojung Dema, 13, an eighth-grade student at Nobugang Central School, shared her experience of getting her first period at age 11, saying she had mixed emotions at the time. “I felt both proud to have reached this milestone and anxious about how to handle it discreetly in a school setting,” she said.
Yeshi also experienced awkward and embarrassing moments when she had to sneakily slip her sanitary pads into the pockets of her bag and hope no one noticed.
She says one of her biggest challenges is overcoming the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation. “Despite living in a relatively progressive society, discussions about menstruation are often hushed up,” she says. “This makes it difficult for her to seek help or advice when she needs it.”
Srijan Adhikari, a Grade 10 student from the same school, said schools tend to be cautious about menstruation. “While there are educational initiatives and resources, students don’t always discuss the issue openly,” he said, adding that teachers and school staff have made efforts to ensure menstrual hygiene.
“For too long, menstruation has been shrouded in myths and misunderstandings, and has been subject to stigma and discrimination,” said Leonpo Yezan de Tapa. This makes it difficult for women and girls to speak openly about their menstrual health and to access the care and resources they need. “We must break the silence and become a menstruation-friendly society,” she said.
According to an official from the Ministry of Education, all schools in Samtsa Dzongkha have changing rooms for girls.
Education plays a vital role in breaking down barriers related to menstruation. By incorporating menstrual health education into school curricula, children and young people can gain knowledge about menstrual hygiene.
May 28th of each year is Menstrual Hygiene Day, and this year’s theme is “Working together to build a menstrual-friendly Bhutan.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of Bhutan joining the international community in commemorating Menstrual Hygiene Day.
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