CELEBRATING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY: JOINING FORCES FOR THE RIGHTS AND WELL-BEING OF MOROCCAN ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG GIRLS

Rabat, May 27, 2021 – In celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund and Project SOAR, a nonprofit organization, are organizing a national seminar to discuss ways to fully realize the rights of adolescent girls in Morocco, especially access to education and health services, including menstrual hygiene products and care.

Placed under the theme “Rights and well-being of adolescent and young girls in public policies in Morocco”, this meeting will take place on Friday May 28, 2021 at 10h00 at La Tour Hassan Palace in Rabat. The Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and the Family, the National Council of Human Rights, the National Union of Moroccan Women, the Union of Women's Action, Al Mouassat Association and other partners will take part in this seminar to highlight the efforts of the various ministerial departments as well as civil society actors to guarantee the rights of adolescent and young girls in public policies.

Ensuring access for adolescent and young girls to education, information and health services, including age-appropriate menstrual hygiene products and care, is a key requirement for adolescent and young girls to realize their potential and contribute to the equitable and sustainable development of the country. Often healthy and normal, menstruation is surrounded by stereotypes and stigma all over the world. Many women and girls face a lack of access to products, information and services that allow them to protect their health, dignity and well-being.

UNFPA and Project Soar will lead a strategic partnership to initiate a public dialogue, involving both national institutions and civil society organizations, on the issue of the centrality of menstrual hygiene, to conduct outreach sessions with adolescent girls living in vulnerable situations and to conduct a digital campaign to dispel misconceptions and support the empowerment of young girls.

“The celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day is an opportunity to launch joint action with the SOAR project and our partners to break down the barriers that prevent millions of adolescent girls from enjoying their rights and ensuring their healthy transition from childhood to adulthood,” says Mr. Luis Mora, Representative of UNFPA in Morocco.

“The lack of access to affordable products and menstrual hygiene information is a threat to the health and education of Moroccan adolescent girls. By tackling these issues, Project Soar has been able to support thousands of girls. We are happy to partner with UNFPA Morocco to help make menstrual insecurity a thing of the past.” says Maryam Montague, Founder and Executive Director of Project Soar.

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Pour plus d’information, prière de contacter:
UNFPA – Aïcha BENHSINE (Mme), Chargée de Communication, +212 (0) 662 13 28 00, benhsine@unfpa.org
Project Soar – Maryam Montague, Fondatrice et Directrice Executive du Project Soar, maryam@projectsoar.org