Coalition calls for responsive menstrual health actions in Africa

Symposium to take stock of progress on menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health and rights in the region

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 19 May 2021 — The African Coalition Symposium on Menstrual Health, organized by the African Coalition on Menstrual Health Management (ACMHM) in collaboration with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, will be held from 25 to 27 May. This follows the inaugural Menstrual Health Management Symposium where participants from Africa and globally gathered to discuss menstrual health issues on the continent, in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018.

The 2018 symposium was co-hosted by the Department of Women in the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa and the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office. The event led to the establishment of the ACMHM and contributed to strengthened commitment to better respond to the menstrual health needs of people who menstruate throughout their reproductive life cycle, by supporting the evidence-based and showcasing a range of innovative and sustainable models.

The African Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium will track progress on menstrual health on the continent since the Call to Action was made at the 2018 symposium. The event brings together leading academic institutions, the private sector, donors, governments, regional economic communities, celebrities, the entertainment industry, social entrepreneurs, young people and the media. The high-level panel discussions will feature leaders and champions, academics, community-led developers, innovators, young leaders and representatives of the private sector. This will be enhanced by a series of country-led satellite sessions.

The symposium will be accessible to interested members of the public, via live streaming at; facebook.com

ACMHM
The African Coalition on Menstrual Health Management strengthens coordination among key stakeholders to build on and support the evidence to better transition research into action. It is a collaborative partnership of practitioners working on menstrual health, public health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. It consists of nearly 600 experts working in or interested in menstrual health issues, policymakers, young people, social entrepreneurs, civil society organizations and individuals.

UNFPA
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.