Breaking the silence: Why men matter in menstrual health and hygiene
A period-friendly world needs men to speak up, listen and lead.
Pictured above: the team has important discussions on the myths and taboos on menstruation, sharing their unique experiences from areas they’ve worked in.
Each year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day brings global attention to a topic that, for too long, has been left in the shadows. Around the world, menstruation remains wrapped in stigma, shame, and silence—affecting the dignity, education, and health of millions of girls and women.
But what if breaking that silence didn’t just involve women? What if more men joined us on the path to a period-friendly world?
At CAWST, and with our partners like the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Development Commission (EKHCDC) and the Maji Safi Group, we believe it does. We’ve seen firsthand how engaging men in menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is not just beneficial, it’s essential. In rural Ethiopia, where myths about menstruation persist—including beliefs that talking about periods can spoil crops or bring bad luck—change is happening, and men are part of the solution.
As part of the women-led WASH for Healthy Homes project, in partnership with the Government of Canada in Ethiopia’s Central Region, we recently held a workshop in Addis Ababa focused on normalizing menstruation, dismantling taboos, and making MHH a shared community priority.
Pictured above: the team concentrates on making reusable menstrual pads.
What made this gathering different was its inclusive approach: men and women learning together, breaking down barriers together.
One activity tasked groups with drawing the physical changes boys and girls go through during puberty. It sounds simple, but in a culture where even naming body parts can be taboo, it served as a powerful exercise in vulnerability and solidarity. Breaking the silence, as we say, starts with using our words.
Pictured above: a team discussion with community water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promoters.
This open dialogue is what builds empathy—and empathy is what creates lasting change. Men who understand menstruation are more likely to support girls’ education, advocate for better facilities in schools, and challenge harmful norms in their households and communities. When men are part of the conversation, menstruation becomes not just a women’s issue, but a human one.
As we look toward a future where every girl can manage her period with dignity and confidence, men must continue to be invited into the conversation—and accept the invitation with openness and humility. It is in these shared spaces, where mutual respect and learning thrive, that we lay the foundation for real progress.
On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, we’re proud to stand with our partners in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and around the world in building a #PeriodFriendlyWorld. One conversation at a time. One ally at a time.
Published in honour of Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), this story celebrates the strides made in promoting menstrual health and dignity for girls in Ethiopia and beyond.
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