Investigating the status of menstrual hygiene Management absorbent interventions in Malawi – A situation analysis in the schools of Malawi
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Date
2020-03-01
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Abstract
Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is a challenge in low and middle income
countries (LMICs) due to limited resources. Despite presence of various MHM absorbent
interventions1 in Malawi, anecdotal evidence and grey literature suggest that women and
girls still face MHM challenges.
This study was aimed at investigating the status of Menstrual Hygiene Management
interventions in the schools of Malawi. In order to meet the set objective, a desk review of
relevant MHM policies/guidelines governing MHM interventions on absorbents and
infrastructure were reviewed. To get more details on the available interventions, relevant
stakeholders at central and district level were contacted and schools benefiting from MHM
interventions were visited to appreciate integration of MHM in WASH infrastructure
interventions. 118 schools were selected using convenient sampling from selected 14
districts in the country.
This study found that Malawi has no standalone policy on MHM and there are no
designated infrastructure standards for MHM facilities. The research found 56
organizations that are working on MHM interventions where all of them have a component
on absorbent MHM but only 12 also have a component on MHM infrastructure.
Despite existence of efforts in integrating MHM in other policies, there is a need for a clear
policy to govern MHM interventions in Malawi. Malawi should consider having a live
database that should be updated from time to time that will help targeted interventions