On February 27, 2024, Pasig City Science High School, in collaboration with Child Champion Consulting, hosted a meaningful workshop aimed at transforming global perspectives on menstrual health management (MHM) into actionable solutions for their own school community. Forty Grade 10 students and several teachers engaged in learning, questioning, and co-creating solutions to address period poverty within their own community.

Setting the Stage for Change

The workshop opened with a warm welcome from School Principal Mr. Charlie Fababaer, who emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for open discussion and dismantling misconceptions surrounding menstruation. This laid the foundation for a collaborative environment where students felt empowered to share their experiences and engage with the topic openly.

MHM in a School Context

Mr. Emerson Fababaer initiated the conversation by presenting the results of a school-based rapid assessment survey. This survey provided crucial local context, revealing the specific challenges faced by students within Pasig City Science High School. While students felt most comfortable discussing menstruation with mothers and friends, many first-time menstruators lacked knowledge and resources to manage physical and emotional challenges. Additionally, financial strain and social stigma were prevalent concerns, highlighting the need for accurate information, clean facilities, affordable products, and improved support systems.

MHM in a Global Perspective

Ms. Jo-Ann Caberoy delved deeper into global MHM perspectives, highlighting the diverse challenges faced by individuals and communities worldwide. This included issues like access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and affordable menstrual products, along with the cultural and social factors that influence MHM practices. The subsequent interactive session facilitated a lively exchange of ideas, fostering understanding and sparking a sense of collective responsibility towards improved MHM practices within the school community.

Empowering Technology: Oky App Introduced

During the discussion, Ms. Jo-Ann Caberoy shared ongoing initiatives in the Philippines to improve menstrual health incorporated in WASH, CSE, and the Adolescent and Youth Development Program curriculum. She also introduced the Oky Menstrual Health App*, the first Filipino contextualised period tracker app created for Filipino menstruators. This announcement was met with enthusiasm, and participants downloaded the app during and after the workshop.

*The Oky Philippines app, supported by the Australian Government, is a joint product of the Department of Health, Department of Education, Commission on Population and Development, and the National Youth Commission, together with UNICEF and in partnership with Plan International.

Next Step: The Case Challenge