From Stigma to Support: A Push for Menstrual Dignity in Schools

In Mexico, over 9 million girls, adolescents and women face barriers to accessing menstrual hygiene resources and education, yet only 15 states have laws to address this issue. To advance menstrual dignity, Mexicanos Primero and Fundación Femmex introduced the manual Menstruar en la Escuela, Manual de Acción para Docentes y Personal Directivo, (Menstruating at School, Handbook for Faculty and Staff) targeting 216,244 schools across the country. 

Four out of 10 students prefer not to attend school during their period, while 20% are absent at least once for this reason, reports UNICEF. Additionally, 30% resort to using toilet paper due to a lack of sanitary products, and nearly three out of four do not have access to soap for handwashing. Infrastructure shortcomings also contribute to the problem, with 23% of schools lacking water service and approximately 6,000 institutions (2.5% of the total) having no bathrooms at all.

In Mexico, there are 6,000 schools without bathrooms, 56,109 schools without water, 43,558 schools without bathroom sinks, and 26,463 schools without electricity, reports Mejoredu. Yet, at the end of 2024, Mexicanos Primero reported a reduction of MX$13.39 billion (US$664.87 million) in the LEEN program in 2025, reports MBN. LEEN is targeted to improve the infrastructure of public educational spaces, allocating resources to communities. 

The 15 states that have incorporated menstrual education into their laws include Aguascalientes, Baja California, Campeche, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Morelos, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Sonora, and Yucatan. Tamaulipas had previously reformed its education law in 2021 to include menstrual education and free product distribution, but these provisions were removed in 2023 when a new law was enacted.

Social stigma, ridicule, and misinformation further exacerbate the situation, making students feel uncomfortable or pressured, which can negatively impact their education. Mexicanos Primero and Fundación Femmex stressed that menstruation can become a barrier for students, affecting their participation in class or even leading to school dropout. Social stigma, ridicule, and misinformation further exacerbate the situation, making students feel uncomfortable or pressured, which can negatively impact their education.

To address these challenges, the organizations introduced their new manual as a tool for educators. The document outlines three fundamental components for ensuring dignified menstruation in schools: menstrual education, access to sanitary products, and adequate infrastructure. It provides guidance for teachers to educate students about menstrual health, advocate for the availability of menstrual products in schools, and assess and improve sanitation facilities.