AHF Joins Calls for Period Equity on Menstrual Health Day

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) joins the world in commemorating Menstrual Health Day with a series of activations across many of our 48 countries of operation — aimed at breaking stigma, promoting menstrual health equity, and protecting the health and futures of women and girls/people who menstruate. Menstrual Health Day is observed annually on May 28.

Globally, women and girls, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, bear a disproportionate HIV burden. AHF’s worldwide commemorations highlight the link between menstrual health and HIV through strategic prevention efforts. By promoting the availability and accessibility of menstrual health products, integrating sexual and reproductive health services, and challenging stigma, AHF works to ensure that women and girls/people who menstruate have the tools—such as sanitary pads, HIV testing, condoms, and reliable health information—to safeguard their health, education, and dignity.

“When girls miss school because they lack access to menstrual products, it places their education, health, and futures at risk,” said Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy. “Period poverty contributes to early school dropouts and increases girls’ vulnerability to transactional or transgenerational sex, heightening their risk of HIV and other STIs. On Menstrual Health Day, we recognize menstrual health as a key component of HIV prevention and commit to ensuring all girls/people who menstruate have access to the products, care, and education they need to stay well.”

Nearly 2 billion people menstruate globally, yet 500 million will experience period poverty—including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities. These barriers, along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, missed education or work, and adverse effects on mental health. This Menstrual Health Day – let’s fight period poverty and end the stigma.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.3 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare