Workplace menstrual health in the private sector: Results from a pilot study in Kenya and Nepal

Author:

Krishna Aditi12ORCID,Eliatamby Dhruhini Maneshka1,Fry M. Whitney1,Nagar Aishwarya1,Eaton Jacob Copeland1,Bronsard Michelle13,Njagi Joan1,Muli Alfred1,Mutua Sheila1,Dongol Anjana14,Luitel Prakash1,Sharma Meena1,Raut Sunita1,Kincaid Mary Mulhern1,Avni Michal1

Affiliation:

1. a Iris Group, 121 S. Estes Drive, Suite 103C, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA

2. b 64 Chemin de Lamoille, Chelsea, QC J9B 0G2, Canada

3. c University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

4. d University of Kathmandu School of Medical Studies, Dhulikhel, Nepal

Abstract

ABSTRACT Menstrual health (MH) efforts have not focused on challenges experienced by working adults. For individuals who identify as women, managing one's periods outside the home is especially difficult when working in male-dominated workplaces. In response, USAID Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Partnerships for Learning and Sustainability implemented four workplace interventions in Kenya and Nepal to improve MH conditions, promote women's economic empowerment, and garner support from company leadership for workplace MH programs. Over 9–11 months, interventions focused on (i) menstrual products and WASH infrastructure; (ii) workplace policy environment; and (iii) education and behavior change. Pre–post, mixed methods evaluations revealed that awareness and confidence regarding MH increased in all workplaces. Improved access to menstrual products increased women's comfort and lowered anxiety. In both countries, improved toilets and reduction of supervisory barriers to toilet use during working hours helped women employees to change products regularly. Changing the social and institutional workplace environments through policy recommendations, education and behavior change efforts increased social support and reduced menstruation-related stigma, leading to improved work performance and job satisfaction. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing workplace MH programs and improving working conditions for menstruating employees in pursuit of economic empowerment and better business outcomes.

Funder

USAID

Publisher

IWA Publishing

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