Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace
USAID
2018 - 2022
Iris Group is leading action research under the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Partnerships and Learning for Sustainability (WASHPaLS) project, to better understand the relationship between MHM / MHH and women’s opportunities for economic empowerment and growth. Specifically, the research assesses the benefits and costs of improved MHM / MHH in the workplace for women workers, and for the enterprises that employ them. Iris Group has partnered with four private sector workplaces in Nepal and Kenya to: implement pilot interventions that provide menstrual products to women workers; facilitate education and behavior change communication; and support the development of MHM- / MHH-friendly workplace policies. It is also conducting a cost-benefit analysis to determine if providing adequate MHM / MHH in workplaces improves business and social outcomes, including women’s economic empowerment.
These pilot interventions were custom designed to each worksite based on formative and baseline research. Data collection methods include quantitative surveys, infrastructure assessments, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and discrete choice experiments on willingness to pay. Research participants include women and men employees, supervisors, senior management, leadership, and other critical staff. The project is addressing workplace culture that often stigmatizes menstruation and is promoting menstruating employees’ ability to manage their periods and speak more openly about their needs.
To learn more about this activity, please visit the Global Waters website, or please contact us if you have any questions or requests.
Learning Briefs and Resource Packets
MHM in the Workplace: Activity Overview
August 2021
This learning brief provides an overview of USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace activity, including partner workplaces in Nepal and Kenya, the conceptual framework, intervention components, and more.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of MHM in the Workplace
January 2022
This learning brief highlights the methodology, components, findings, and key learnings from the cost-benefit analysis of USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace action research at four workplaces in two countries.
MHM in the Workplace: Learnings from Kenya
January 2022
This learning brief highlights intervention components, key learnings, and findings from USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace action research at two workplaces in Kenya.
MHM in the Workplace: Overall Learnings
January 2022
This learning brief provides an overview of USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace activity, including findings and key learning points from interventions in two Nepali and two Kenyan workplaces.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of MHM in the Workplace
January 2022
This learning brief highlights the methodology, components, findings, and key learnings from the cost-benefit analysis of USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace action research at four workplaces in two countries.
MHM in the Workplace: Learnings from Nepal
January 2022
This learning brief highlights intervention components, key learnings, and findings from USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace action research at two workplaces in Nepal.
Engaging Men to Improve MHM in the Workplace
January 2022
This learning brief discusses how USAID WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the Workplace action research engaged men at two Nepali and two Kenyan workplaces, highlighting case studies of approaches in each country and key learnings.
Reports
Advancement Of Metrics For Menstrual Hygiene Management In The Workplace Final Report December 2021
This final report presents the findings from the metrics and indicator development and field testing component of the MHM in the Workplace activity.
MHM and Women's Economic Empowerment: A Review of Existing Evidence December 2019
USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Partnerships and Learning for Sustainability (WASHPaLS) project conducted a review of evidence on the adequacy of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in the workplace to identify the cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of approaches to improve conditions.
MHM in the Workplace Action Research: Final Activity Report January 2022
This final report details research methodology, findings, cost-benefit analysis, and key learnings from the MHM in the Workplace action research.
Webinars and Conferences
Measuring Menstrual Health in the Workplace
(Brown Bag for USAID Staff, 2021)
Measuring Menstrual Health and Hygiene
(UNC Water & Health Conference, 2021)
Engaging Men to Improve Workplace MHH in Kenya
(British Academy, Menstruation: Sharing Experiences from the Global North and South, 2021)
Going with the Flow at Work: Preliminary Lessons from Menstrual Hygiene Management in Workplaces in Kenya and Nepal
(Global Health Science and Practice Technical Exchange, 2021)
Menstruation in the Workplace: An Overlooked Issue
(Period Posse, 2021)
Exploring the Linkages between Women’s Economic Empowerment and Workplace MHM
(MH Day, 2020)
News Coverage
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TUKO: Businesses Perform Better If They Offer Improved Menstrual Hygiene, USAID Report
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Himalayan Kangaroo: Menstruation in the Workplace - Increasing Business Productivity (USAID)
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The Star: Workplaces with menstrual hygiene products report increased productivity- study
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Annapurna Express: Nine-month pilot on Nepali businesses and menstrual hygiene ends
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AP1TV: Positive Impact of Menstrual Hygiene Management in the Workplace
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Business 360: Nepali businesses can improve MHM at workplaces while also promoting inclusive growth
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eNepalese: Menstruation in the Workplace Increasing Business Productivity