On 18 February 2025 (from 12:00PM-2:00PM AEDT), WLI will host an online Learning & Networking event exploring the role of men and male allies in promoting menstrual health in the Pacific.
The event is hosted for Australia Awards scholars and alumni from the Pacific and their families, as well as development colleagues in our region.
According to UN Women, more than two billion people menstruate each month. Despite this prevalence, taboos and stigma negatively influence women’s perception of their own menstrual cycle, and the way men and societies around the world view this natural biological process and engage with those experiencing it.
Menstrual health remains a critical yet often overlooked issue affecting public health and development in the Pacific. Significant challenges, including limited access to water and sanitation facilities, hygiene products, and education combine with cultural taboos and stigma to hinder progress and keep women and girls from fulfilling their potential.
Recent research by WaterAid Australia and UNDP highlighting these barriers emphasises the need for inclusive dialogue and male allyship to challenge harmful norms and improve menstrual health outcomes.
In this online event, WLI aims to promote a supportive dialogue between women and men on the challenges surrounding menstrual health, and to discuss ways to bring more men into the conversation. The event will also encourage attendees to think about ways to initiate positive change in their homes and communities.
During this event, an expert panel will speak from their own experiences of strengthening menstrual health education, developing male allies, and fostering supportive communities.
Facilitated by Florence Siba, WLI and Australia Awards Alumna and Co-Founder of Meri Day PNG, the panel will include:
Date: Tuesday 18 February 2025
Time: 12:00PM to 2:00PM (AEDT)
Location: Online, via Zoom
Registration: You must register to attend this event
