As the world observes 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, local stakeholders in Nevis are stepping up to advance global efforts to destigmatize menstruation and expand equitable access to menstrual health resources. Coordinated globally by non-profit advocacy group WASH United, this year’s campaign carries the unifying theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World”, calling for cross-sector collaboration from governments, community groups, schools, workplaces and individuals to normalize menstruation and eliminate the shame that still surrounds it globally.
A truly period-friendly world is defined as a space where women and girls can manage their menstrual cycles safely, confidently and with full dignity, with menstruation recognized as a critical issue tied to public health, educational equity and broader gender equality. The global campaign has outlined five core priority areas for communities and nations to advance this goal: cultivating an open social environment where menstruation can be discussed freely without shame or stigma; delivering evidence-based period education to all children from an early age, regardless of gender; expanding access to affordable, safe and effective menstrual products; ensuring public and private facilities offer clean, accessible period-friendly restrooms for menstrual management; and strengthening clinical menstrual health services, including access to trained providers, diagnosis, treatment and support for menstrual health conditions.
In Nevis, local partners have been working to turn these global goals into local action since 2023. The Nevis Department of Gender Affairs has partnered with Lake Health and Wellbeing, the Advancement of Children Foundation, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and the Nevis Ministry of Education to roll out a community-focused Menstrual Health Education Programme, adapted from a training framework developed by WASH United. Trained educators deliver targeted sessions in local schools and community spaces, designed to provide clear, accurate information about menstruation to both girls and boys. The initiative targets three key gaps: widespread stigma, pervasive misinformation and low public awareness, with dual goals: preparing girls for the transition of puberty, and helping boys build empathy and understanding to become supportive allies to women and girls in their communities.
“Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue; it is a public health, education and human dignity issue,” explained Saros Hendrickson, Director of the Nevis Department of Gender Affairs. “Creating a period-friendly world requires all of us to challenge stigma, improve education and ensure that women and girls have the support and resources they need to manage their menstrual health safely and confidently. We are proud to partner on this important initiative and remain committed to supporting women and girls throughout Nevis and St. Kitts.”
Abi Begho, Programme Director at Lake Health and Wellbeing, echoed this commitment, noting that ongoing local programming aims to break down barriers to open conversation among young people. “Through our Menstrual Health Education Programme, we are working to ensure that young people receive accurate information about menstruation and feel comfortable speaking up about menstrual health issues. Menstrual Hygiene Day provides an important opportunity for all sectors of society to come together to create lasting change,” Begho said.
To mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Nevis Department of Gender Affairs and Lake Health and Wellbeing have organized a series of public outreach activities. The centerpiece is a public webinar titled “Supporting Women and Girls’ Menstrual Health at Home, at Work, in School and in the Community”, which will bring together cross-sector stakeholders to share practical, actionable steps to improve menstrual health support across all areas of daily life. Throughout the rest of May, the two organizations will also host educational discussions on local radio and run targeted awareness campaigns across social media platforms to reach broader audiences.
Local residents are encouraged to engage with the scheduled activities, join the national conversation, and contribute to collective efforts to build a more inclusive, period-friendly world for all in Nevis.