Menstrual Dignity: An Essential Right for Health and Well-Being
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Menstruation, a natural process in the lives of millions of people, is still surrounded by taboos and challenges.
Lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, such as pads, can have serious consequences for the health, education, and self-esteem of menstruators.
It is in this context that the Menstrual Dignity Program, a fundamental initiative to guarantee the right to menstrual health and promote gender equality.
In today's text, you'll discover more details about this program and its importance for girls and women in vulnerable situations.
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What is the Menstrual Dignity Program?
Launched in 2023 by the Federal Government, the Menstrual Dignity Program seeks to guarantee free access to sanitary pads for people in situations of social vulnerability.
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It benefits around 24 million people, between the ages of 10 and 49, who are homeless, enrolled in public schools or registered in the Single Registry.
How does the program work?
To access free sanitary pads, beneficiaries can follow these steps:
- Homeless people: can go to reception units or Specialized Social Assistance Reference Centers (CREAS) to collect the pads.
- Public school students: You can pick up the pads at the office of the school where you study.
- People registered with CadÚnico: can remove the absorbent pads in units of Popular Pharmacy of Brazil.
To make the withdrawal, you must present a photo ID and proof of residence.
Additionally, before going to the pharmacies, interested parties must download the Meu Sus Digital app, log in with their Meu Gov login, and then click on the Menstrual Dignity tab and issue the authorization.
Print the authorization and take it to a pharmacies registered with Farmácia Popular. The sales assistant will then show you the products available under this program.
The importance of the Menstrual Dignity Program
Access to menstrual hygiene products is essential for the health and well-being of those who menstruate.
The lack of sanitary pads can lead to several negative consequences, such as:
- Infections: poor hygiene during menstruation can increase the risk of urinary and gynecological infections.
- School dropout: The lack of sanitary pads can lead to girls and teenagers missing school during their menstrual cycle, which can affect their academic performance.
- Low self-esteem: Lack of access to menstrual hygiene products can contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of shame about menstruation.
THE Menstrual Dignity Program is a fundamental initiative to combat these negative consequences and ensure that all people have access to their basic rights, such as the right to health and education.
Expanding the debate on menstrual dignity
The program is an important step toward guaranteeing the right to menstrual health, but there is still much to be done to combat the taboos and challenges related to menstruation.
It is essential to promote menstrual education in schools and in society, raise awareness about the importance of hygiene during the menstrual cycle and combat discrimination and stigma regarding menstruation.
Together, we can build a more just and equal society, where menstruation is seen as a natural and healthy process, and not as a reason for shame or exclusion.
If you know someone who is eligible for free pads, please do not share this content.
Without a doubt, you will be helping someone go through their menstrual cycle in a fairer and easier way.
While this may seem insignificant to some, it will make a huge difference in the lives of many girls and women.
I wish I had a benefit like this when I was a teenager, and I'm glad that teenagers of this generation can count on it.
For more information about the Menstrual Dignity Program, visit:
