Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice from edX

Over the last decade, menstruation has attracted increased attention as an important public health issue. This has resulted in the proliferation of new research, programs, and policies aimed at tackling the menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) challenges faced by girls, women and others who menstruate. Global advocates are directly combating ongoing menstrual stigma and calling for an end to period poverty around the world.

The objective of this course is to provide learners with a foundation on the global menstruation movement that aims to ensure that the menstrual needs of everyone, everywhere are met. We will review cutting edge menstrual health and hygiene research, programming, and policies being implemented around the world. Through a series of lectures and examples from global experts, participants will gain knowledge and skills on approaches for MHH program design and implementation, research, monitoring and advocacy, with an emphasis on the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations around the world.

The course will seek to answer critical questions such as, why is menstrual health and hygiene important; what are the key components of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH); what are the best practices for designing and delivering MHH programs; what is the existing evidence base for addressing menstruation as a public health issue; what gaps remain in MHH practice, research, and policy. The course will equip students with knowledge on the various research methods being utilized to better understand the experiences of those who menstruate, and on the ways in which advocacy and evidence has served to shift attention to this fundamental issue. Students will also build practical skills related to the design and implementation of MHH programming across the three pillars: materials and supplies; sanitation facilities; and information. This includes exploring the gaps in current MHH research and practice.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand key concepts and definitions related to menstruation and menstrual health and hygiene (mhh).
Describe why mhh is an important public health issue.
Explain how challenges like stigma and social norms shape the menstrual experiences of girls, women and people with periods.
Learn about the design and implementation of mhh programming across the three pillars: materials and supplies; sanitation facilities; and information.

Review research and monitoring practices in the field of mhh, including indicators, methods and measurement challenges.
Articulate why menstruation is a human rights and gender equality issue, its connections to other social movements, and new advocacy frontiers.
Analyze trends and progress in the global menstrual equity movement, including new legislation and policies.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Understand key concepts and definitions related to menstruation and menstrual health and hygiene (mhh).
Describe why mhh is an important public health issue.
Explain how challenges like stigma and social norms shape the menstrual experiences of girls, women and people with periods.
Learn about the design and implementation of mhh programming across the three pillars: materials and supplies; sanitation facilities; and information.
Review research and monitoring practices in the field of mhh, including indicators, methods and measurement challenges.
Articulate why menstruation is a human rights and gender equality issue, its connections to other social movements, and new advocacy frontiers.
Analyze trends and progress in the global menstrual equity movement, including new legislation and policies.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Syllabus

This online course has seven sections featuring eleven case studies and numerous guest experts:

Menstruation as a Public Health and Human Rights Issue

Review of Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) Evidence and Gaps

MHH Programming for Adolescent Girls

The MHH Experiences of Women in Low-Resource Settings

MHH Policy and Advocacy

MHH Response in Humanitarian Emergencies

Inclusive MHH Programming and Policies

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared toward individuals interested in women's health and menstrual equity, as well as those in global development and public health

Taught by experts in the field of menstrual health and hygiene, including DrPH, MPH, and RNs

Provides a comprehensive overview of the global menstrual equity movement, including its history, challenges, and successes

Examines the latest research and best practices in menstrual health and hygiene programming, with a focus on low-income and vulnerable populations

Develops skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating menstrual health and hygiene programs, including materials and supplies, sanitation facilities, and information

Provides opportunities for students to engage with guest experts and case studies from around the world

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice with these activities:

Review research methods

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Reviewing research methods will help you better understand and critically evaluate the research that is covered in the course.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Read the assigned textbook chapters on research methods.
Take notes on the key concepts and terms.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
Attend the optional review session on research methods.

Read "Period Power" by Nadya Okamoto

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Reading "Period Power" will give you a comprehensive overview of the menstrual health movement and the challenges that women and girls face around the world.

View Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of "Period Power".
Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts and terms.
Write a short summary of the book.

Work through online tutorials on menstrual health

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Working through online tutorials will help you to learn more about the key concepts and issues related to menstrual health.

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Find a reputable online source for menstrual health tutorials.
Choose a tutorial that covers a topic that you are interested in or that you need to learn more about.
Follow the instructions in the tutorial.
Take notes on the key concepts and terms.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of the tutorial.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Participate in a discussion forum on menstrual health

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Participating in a discussion forum will allow you to connect with other students and to learn from their experiences and perspectives.

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Find a discussion forum on menstrual health.
Create an account and join the forum.
Introduce yourself and share your interests.
Participate in the discussions.

Practice identifying different types of MHH challenges

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Practice applying course concepts through examples to solidify knowledge on MHH challenges faced by girls, women and people with periods.

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List common MHH challenges faced by girls and women in different settings
Identify the underlying causes and consequences of these challenges
Categorize the challenges based on the three pillars of MHH: materials and supplies, sanitation facilities, and information

Create a list of resources on menstrual health

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Creating a list of resources on menstrual health will help you to stay up-to-date on the latest research and information on this topic.

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Use a search engine or database to find resources on menstrual health.
Evaluate the credibility of the resources.
Organize the resources into a list.
Share the list with others.

Volunteer at a local women's health clinic

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Volunteering at a local women's health clinic will give you the opportunity to learn more about menstrual health and to help women in your community.

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Find a local women's health clinic that offers volunteer opportunities.
Contact the clinic and ask about volunteer opportunities.
Attend a volunteer orientation.
Complete the required training.
Start volunteering!

Career center

Learners who complete Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Health Advocate

Public Health Advocates work to improve laws and policies that affect public health. They play a key role in the global menstrual movement by advocating for policies and programs that ensure everyone has access to the menstrual products and hygiene they need. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively advocate for menstrual health and hygiene.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Advocate

Program Manager

Program Managers design, implement, and evaluate programs to improve public health. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course will help you build the skills you need to design and implement effective menstrual health and hygiene programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies to make recommendations for improvements. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. This course will provide you with the skills you need to analyze menstrual health and hygiene policies and make recommendations for improvements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Menstrual Health Educator

Menstrual Health Educators teach people about menstrual health and hygiene. They may work for schools, community centers, or non-profit organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively educate others about menstrual health and hygiene.

See salaries and explore the career path for Menstrual Health Educator

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Specialist

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Specialists work to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in low-resource settings. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to implement effective menstrual health and hygiene programs in low-resource settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Specialist

Gender Equality Advocate

Gender Equality Advocates work to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively advocate for gender equality and menstrual health and hygiene.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gender Equality Advocate

Human Rights Lawyer

Human Rights Lawyers advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private law firms. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively advocate for the human rights of people who menstruate.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to overcome social and economic challenges. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively support people who are facing challenges related to menstrual health and hygiene.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to people of all ages and backgrounds. They may work in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community centers. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to provide effective care to people who are menstruating.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. They may work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively diagnose and treat menstrual health conditions.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. They may work in academia, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct research on menstrual health and hygiene in different cultures.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may work in academia, government agencies, or private companies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct research on the economic impact of menstrual health and hygiene.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Policy Researcher

Policy Researchers conduct research to inform public policy. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct research on menstrual health and hygiene policy.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, implement, and evaluate projects. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course may be useful for Project Managers who are working on menstrual health and hygiene projects.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from preschool to university. This course may be useful for Teachers who are teaching health or science courses and want to incorporate menstrual health and hygiene into their curriculum.

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