Menstrual hygiene needs dignity, empathy and social action

MGI Director Barrister Tasnim Mostafa shared this view in an interview with TBS on Menstrual Hygiene Day

Despite growing awareness of women's health in Bangladesh, menstruation is still burdened by silence, discomfort, and social stigma in many families and communities.

Barrister Tasnim Mostafa, director at Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), told The Business Standard on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day that the national conversation on menstruation must move beyond basic awareness. Building on this point, she articulated a broader vision for how the subject should be discussed in Bangladesh.

"The conversation around menstruation should extend beyond awareness—it must focus on dignity, empathy, health and social responsibility," she said.

Reflecting on this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day theme, "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld", Tasnim Mostafa emphasised that building a period-friendly society demands active support from families, schools, communities, institutions and businesses. This collective effort, she believes, is fundamental to shifting perspectives.

She said menstrual hygiene is directly linked to women's health, dignity, education, mobility and overall wellbeing.

In many parts of Bangladesh, girls continue to grow up feeling uncomfortable or ashamed to discuss menstruation. This challenge is compounded by limited awareness of menstrual hygiene and poor access to sanitary products—which, she stressed, should be recognised not as discretionary purchases, but as basic health essentials.

Citing Unicef, she noted that over 50 million women and girls in Bangladesh menstruate, including more than 14 million adolescents, making menstrual health and hygiene management a pressing national issue.

Furthermore, across Bangladesh, women and girls continue to face barriers in accessing menstrual hygiene products due to social stigma, discomfort in purchasing, limited availability in some regions and high prices.

According to the National Hygiene Survey 2018, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with UNICEF and WaterAid, only about 29% of adult women use disposable pads.

Tasnim Mostafa said this figure reflects not only challenges of access and affordability, but also a deeper social gap in how families and communities value menstrual hygiene. This gap, she suggested, must be closed for real progress to occur.

"What troubles me most is that money isn't always the barrier. In some households, it's perfectly normal to set aside cash for tea, snacks or phone credit—yet spending even a small sum for a girl's or woman's hygiene needs all too often feels taboo or gets pushed aside," she confided.

She continued, "This is not only a women's issue but a societal one; it reflects how women's basic health needs remain deprioritised because menstruation is still hidden. A sanitary napkin is not a luxury—it is a basic health essential linked to hygiene, comfort, safety and long-term wellbeing," she added.

Tasnim Mostafa said neglecting menstrual hygiene can result in preventable infections, discomfort and missed school or workdays for women and girls. Such outcomes, she explained, ultimately shape women's overall prospects.

These problems have consequences beyond a few days each month. For example, when girls fall behind in school or women must manage their health needs alone, their long-term opportunities can be compromised, she said.

She added that this affects not only individuals, but also families, communities and the wider economy.

Silence around menstruation also prevents many women from seeking timely health advice, screenings and treatment—including for serious conditions such as cervical cancer, which is often discussed only at an advanced stage, she said. This underscores the importance of open dialogue.

Many women and girls still resort to using old cloth for menstrual hygiene. This is not only due to cost or limited access, but also because menstrual products are often not prioritised as essential household items.

Tasnim Mostafa said the challenge is both practical and cultural. While access must improve, she stressed that families must also place greater value on women's basic wellbeing.

She said MGI believes businesses embedded in people's daily lives should help address social issues, particularly those affecting women and adolescents.

While many businesses, including MGI, have launched useful initiatives, she said much more remains to be done. Ongoing efforts will determine the scale of positive change.

"At MGI, we believe business should not be disconnected from society. Social responsibility is not merely a branding exercise; it is part of our long-term philosophy," she said.

Fresh Anonna, a sanitary napkin brand from MGI, has been raising awareness of menstrual health and hygiene through campaigns, workshops and distribution programmes nationwide. These efforts contribute toward improving conditions for women and girls.

In recent years, the brand has organised programmes in schools, universities, madrasahs, garment factories, slum communities, Bede Palli areas and flood-affected regions, reaching over 20,000 people. These diverse efforts highlight the importance of broad accessibility.

This year, as part of its ongoing efforts, Fresh Anonna launched the nationwide "Pad Ache, Lagbe?" campaign to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day. This initiative builds on previous outreach activities to further raise awareness.

The campaign includes sanitary napkin donations, awareness initiatives and public engagement activities.

"Sometimes it just takes a small gesture to spark real change. We wanted to make it feel normal to ask, 'Pad ache, lagbe?'—a simple question that can make someone feel seen, cared for and less alone," Tasnim Mostafa said with a smile.