Menstrual Hygiene Day: Mexico Still Falling Behind

Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is celebrated on May 28, representing a global call to end period poverty and menstrual stigma by 2030. Yet in Mexico, despite urgent needs, only 15 of the 32 states have enacted laws addressing menstrual health education and access.

Globally, 500 million women and girls still lack the resources to manage their periods safely, hygienically, and with dignity, according to WASH United. This crisis is driven by a combination of inadequate education, limited access to menstrual products, insufficient sanitation infrastructure, and persistent cultural stigma that keeps menstruation a taboo subject.

The consequences are profound. Misinformation and stigma often lead to school absenteeism, social exclusion, and reduced participation in everyday life, deepening existing gender inequalities. Consulting firm Kearney estimates that missed educational and employment opportunities due to menstruation result in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual economic losses worldwide.

Since its launch in 2014, the Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign has expanded its reach from 20 million people to 705 million by 2023. Policy shifts have also gained ground: countries like New Zealand, France, and several African nations now offer free menstrual products in schools, while Spain, Japan, and Indonesia have implemented menstrual leave policies. Still, global momentum must accelerate, especially in funding and education.

In Mexico, over 9 million girls, adolescents, and women face barriers to menstrual hygiene resources and education. According to UNICEF, four in 10 female students avoid attending school during their periods, and 20% miss school at least once due to menstruation.

The challenges are exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure. As reported by MBN, 6,000 schools lack bathrooms, 56,109 have no water supply, 43,558 lack sinks, and 26,463 operate without electricity, creating an environment that hinders safe and dignified menstrual management.

Workplaces also face challenges. A joint report by Dalia Empower, Plenna, and Essity reveals that 55% of working women in Mexico miss work due to menstrual discomfort, yet only 5% report that their employers have implemented any supportive policies. Alarmingly, 35% of women say they face salary deductions for menstruation-related absences.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL) estimates that 42% of menstruating women live in poverty, facing significant barriers to accessing menstrual health products, with wide-ranging impacts on their education, health, and well-being.

These systemic shortcomings contribute directly to gender gaps in education. As Educación Futura points out, the absence of menstrual health–friendly environments denies girls their fundamental right to complete their education.

In response, civil society organizations are stepping in. Mexicanos Primero and Fundación Femmex have developed Menstruar en la Escuela (Menstruating at School), a practical manual for educators and school administrators. The guide is built on three pillars: menstrual education, access to sanitary products, and adequate infrastructure. Targeting over 216,000 schools nationwide, the manual provides actionable tools to improve hygiene conditions and reduce stigma. 

Complementing these efforts, Eztli, a public-private partnership between Dow, Mexfam, Hulsi, Smurfit-Westrock, and Fondo Unido México, is working to advance menstrual equity at the community level. The initiative is distributing 80,000 menstrual cup kits to women in vulnerable areas, promoting both economic and environmental sustainability. With a lifespan of up to 15 years, menstrual cups offer a long-term, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to disposable products.

Improving menstrual health is not only a matter of rights, but also a smart policy. Sahil Tesfu, CSO, Essity, highlights that investing in menstrual health in the workplace can reduce absenteeism by 62% and workforce turnover by 23%. Tesfu underscores the importance of collaboration between schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems to support women’s health and well-being.

As Thorsten Kiefer, CEO, WASH United, states, “Poor menstrual health and hygiene is a critical barrier to gender equality. Ending period poverty and stigma not only benefits women and girls; it is in everyone’s best interest.”