28 May is Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day), the annual global day of awareness and action to create a world where no one is held back because they menstruate by 2030. Here are five things you need to know about why in 2024, this day is more important than ever.

‍1 It’s a global problem.

‍500 million women and girls worldwide don’t have what they need to manage their periods safely, hygienically and without shame¹. This is due to a combination of lack of access to period products, lack of education about menstruation and inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure. The persisting taboos and stigma around menstruation are the root cause that underpins all these issues. If we can’t talk openly about periods, we can’t effectively address these challenges.

2 Period stigma has far-reaching effects, for all of us.

‍Menstruation-related challenges have a severe negative impact on the health, educational and income-earning opportunities, and the overall social status of women and girls. In turn, this affects families, communities and entire countries. Management consulting firm Kearney estimates the economic damage resulting from women and girls around the world missing out on education and job opportunities amounts to hundreds of billions of dollars each year².

‍Engr. Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili, FNSE,FNICE,FNIM was the Keynote speaker and special Guest of Honour at this year's programme organized by WaterAid Nigeria(Lagos Office). Dr. Opene-Odili highlighted the factors and importance of menstrual hygiene while given significant tips on how to maintain a healthy Menstrual hygiene.