Bhutan observed Menstrual Hygiene Day today with a red dopchu (bracelet) as a simple and powerful global symbol for menstruation. Each red bead in the bracelet represents empowerment, hope, love, care and solidarity.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 every year to help break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene around the world.
A menstrual health and hygiene book was also launched today to mark the day. The book, which has messages in Dzongkha and English, is published by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) to bridge the knowledge gap among girls and nuns on menstruation.
In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said that the government is making efforts to ensure the dignity of women and girls and providing sanitary napkins to those in quarantine facilities.
“Today, as we face an unprecedented public health crisis, we are once again reminded that women are disproportionately affected,” said Lyonpo.
To ensure the health and nutrition of vulnerable children during the pandemic, Education Minister J B Rai said the ministry has also included sanitary napkins and soaps in the take home ration initiative that was launched today. The toiletries were included in the packages for over 10,000 children with support from UNICEF.
Bhutan has been observing the Menstrual Hygiene Day since 2015.
