Menstruation: 18% of girls miss 45 schooldays

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKResearch shows that 18% of Namibian girls miss between four to five days of school per month due to menstruation issues and challenges.This means that out of approximately 195 schooldays per year in Namibia, these girls miss out on 45 days of learning, equating to 23%.Namibia recently commemorated the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day in Rehoboth.Different stakeholders came together with learners to place the spotlight on issues surrounding menstrual health.At the same time, the event also aimed to make Namibians understand that menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM) is a human rights issue.Stakeholders included the health and education ministries, the United Nations (UN) and GIZ’s Sport for Development in Africa (S4DA).The Namibian Coalition for Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management was also launched during the event. The coalition provides a platform for coordination and knowledge-sharing for various stakeholders working in MHHM.Increasing information-sharingThe stakeholders will work together to increase menstrual health information disbursement and mobilise resources for improved MHHM in Namibia.The day also saw the launch of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), a joint collaborative initiative between the health and education ministries.This collaboration will implement the Health Promoting Schools Initiative, focusing on promoting conducive teaching and learning and healthy lifestyles among learners.The importance and the wide spectrum of programme objectives has led to the stakeholders establishing an Integrated School Health Task Force at national level.The UN, the ministries and other stakeholders will work together on planning, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, research, resource mobilisation and advocacy of the ISHP.

Menstruation: 18% of girls miss 45 schooldays

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Menstruation: 18% of girls miss 45 schooldays

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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