CLTS can be a powerful way of challenging social norms, myths and mindsets; the openness brought about through the triggering process can help create an environment where communities are able to talk freely about menstruation.
Menstruation is a natural and healthy part of the life of women and girls, but is often a taboo subject, not easily talked about, which can lead to feelings of embarrassment and shame. It can also lead to girls losing attention at school or missing days from school. Menstruation is a core element of sanitation and hygiene (S&H) that affects half of the world’s population for a large proportion of their lives.
This issue of Frontiers of CLTS illustrates how community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programmes can be expanded to address menstrual health and hygiene in schools and communities to alleviate these stresses on women and girls. It shares learning, recommendations, innovations and experiences from Plan International, WaterAid, WSSCC, UNICEF, WASH United, Grow and Know, and USAID/WASHplus.
