An environmental perspective has been missing from discussions around policies for menstrual health and justice. SEI researchers brought this view to the Third Annual Menstruation Research Network Conference on May 29 in Liverpool, UK, where conversations took place combining the personal and the scientific in order to create more effective and just policy.

Held just after World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the conference served as a vibrant forum for discussions surrounding menstrual health and justice. Hosted by Liverpool John Moores University, the Wellcome Trust and the Menstruation Research Network, this event brought together sector-diverse expertise across sixteen panels and roundtable discussions. These discussions spanned a wide range of topics – from inclusivity, menopause, arts and visual cultures, and technologies, to menstrual health in the Global South, mental health and embodiment – powerfully illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of menstruation research and policy.

Environmentally sustainable and inclusive menstrual policymaking

SEI researchers presented key interventions on environmental approaches to menstrual justice, which were otherwise largely absent from the conference. During a session on policymaking and public health, Laura Del Duca and Carla Liera from the Stockholm Environment Institute presented their work on environmentally sustainable and inclusive menstrual policymaking. Their presentation integrated environmental and sustainability considerations into the discourse on menstrual justice – a crucial but generally overlooked perspective.

They presented recommendations for menstrual policymaking, addressing the interconnections between menstruation experiences and choices and environmental policies, arguing for a holistic approach to policymaking.

The environmental sector has lacked effective and grounded approaches to women’s reproductive and sexual health generally, and menstrual health specifically. A considerable number of policies even make things worse by increasing stigma, particularly for menstruators experiencing socio-economic vulnerability. These policies blame menstruators for the environmental waste from using disposable menstrual products, when these are the only affordable and accessible option.

Breaking menstruation and menopause taboos

The Menstruation Research Network Conference provided a safe and welcoming space to discuss subjects, in part because it was both online and in-person. Topics such as menstruation and menopause are often treated as taboo, but participants felt comfortable sharing personal experiences. Participants highlighted the importance of flexible and accommodating workplace environments, policies and management; how different menopause experiences need to be addressed due to interacting underlying conditions; and differences in knowledge and education about menopause.

The cross-cultural discussions also provided space to question assumptions and consider the social context of menstrual health. Menopause, as with menstruation, is so commonly stigmatized that people suffer in silence. One participant shared they had never heard about menopause in their particular cultural context, and the importance of informing men who would be able to support people experiencing menopause was also highlighted.

Citizen science, environmental impact, and menstrual health

From products’ effects on the environment to the vaginal microbiome using citizen science, multiple sessions emphasized the importance of using participatory approaches in all decision-making areas for just menstrual health interventions and research. Engaging communities in the co-design of methods is crucial to developing culturally sensitive and effective solutions.

In this context, researcher Josiane Kenfack introduced the Leke project based in Cameroon. The project seeks to deepen understanding of the vaginal microbiome through advanced DNA detection technologies. It aims to promote and break societal taboos about vaginal health, leveraging the support of citizen science to enhance community involvement and awareness.

Similarly, last year, researchers at SEI adopted a citizen science approach to better understand the water and sanitation needs of homeless populations in Mexico City. This participatory method allowed for direct involvement of the community in the research, ensuring that the outcomes were both relevant and beneficial.

The way towards effective menstrual policymaking

The large disconnect between menstrual policymaking and the wealth of knowledge shared at the Menstruation Research Network Conference demonstrated the need to bridge science to policy. Targeted networking, policy briefings or strategic policy-focused events can work to build this bridge, as SEI researchers did last year on Paths to gender equality: the G20’s role in the spotlight.

This conference has also contributed to bridging science and policy, while counteracting the stigma and taboo around these topics. Enabling conversations for menstruators who may be otherwise silenced in most spaces, combining personal and scientific knowledges in the process, helps to build more effective and just policy.