MeJARa Website Launch

We are proud to announce the launch of our new website, dedicated to supporting the groundbreaking project, “Menstrual Justice in Nepal and Guatemala: Achieving the Right to a Good Period in Policy and Practice”.

The project, led by Dr. Melanie Channon of the University of Bath, UK, in partnership with Dr. Mahesh Puri of CREHPA, Nepal, and Dr. Carmen Alvarado Benitez of 32 Volcanes, Guatemala, is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee. Our website will serve as a platform for sharing research, updates, and insights as we work towards improving menstrual experiences and reducing the negative impacts of menstruation for women and girls in Nepal and Guatemala.

The primary objective of our project is to develop a framework and theory of menstrual justice to address the needs of adolescent girls in both Nepal and Guatemala. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we will investigate the domains of menstrual justice, develop and evaluate targeted interventions, and establish a longitudinal survey to assess the intervention’s impact on physical health, mental health, wellbeing, education, and work.

Why Menstrual Justice Matters

Menstruation has long been a neglected issue in research and policy, but this is changing. Initiatives have been developed to address the lack of access to sanitary products, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. While these initiatives have focused primarily on school-based interventions, they do not address wider community attitudes or those who are not in school. Menstrual pain, which affects over 70% of menstruators, remains a severely neglected health, social, and economic issue, impacting physical disability, reduced school attendance, social interactions, and mood.

Our project consists of five subcomponents, each mapped to specific research questions and objectives. These include: analyzing national menstrual policies; understanding the menstrual experiences and needs of adolescent girls; developing the theory of menstrual justice; developing and validating tools to measure and assess menstrual justice; and developing and testing community-based interventions to improve menstrual justice.

As we embark on this five-year study, we invite you to join us on our journey by visiting our new website. Stay informed about our progress, learn about menstrual justice, and discover the ways you can support our mission to improve menstrual experiences and address the negative impacts of menstruation for women and girls in Nepal and Guatemala. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals, ensuring they have the right to a good period in both policy and practice.