The third bi-annual Asia Sanitation and Hygiene Practitioners’
workshop, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 31 January to 2
February 2012, reported notable progress in implementing
menstrual hygiene into WASH programmes. In 2008, menstrual
hygiene management was signalled as a neglected area in WASH
programmes. In 2010 the workshop participants pushed ahead and
discussed necessary provisions for menstrual hygiene management
in toilet design (washing facilities, sufficient space,
incinerators) as well as issues of availability and
affordability of menstrual hygiene materials. A major hurdle
remains the lack of awareness and lack of recognition that
menstrual hygiene is a human right and health issue. In 2012,
participants concluded that menstrual hygiene programmes are now
usually linked to school WASH, but efforts are needed to reach
girls who are not in schools. Advocacy and hygiene promotion
have to improve the awareness of both men and women about
menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Progress on men