Advocating for Menstrual Health Education in the Church.


          (Musa Dlamini Days for Girls Ambassador)


Days for Girls was invited to give a presentation to 23 church leaders on the importance of incorporating menstrual heath conversations in church programs. This would help break down the stigma around menstruation, menstrual blood is often considered dirty, and some religions believe that a woman should be isolated on her red days. It is for this reason that MH education should be offered in the church to cancel out false ideologies about menstruation in order to build the self-esteem of menstruators and instil pride as well as dignity of being a menstruator. Moreover, cooperating life skills topics in church can be a valuable way to engage with the congregation and community on to influence positive daily decisions. Here are some ways churches can promote healthy lifestyles:

-Encouraging healthier ways of living- Christians are preached to honour their bodies because the body is the Lord's temple. Guiding church members to see being physically active and eating healthy as a form of worship and service is important to enhance Christian living. Adding sports days/tournaments healthy snacks sharing during bible study are examples of how the church can encourage healthy lifestyles.

- Mental health and emotional support: Mental health has a great impact on physical and spiritually well-being. Having societies where men and women can share about life challenges and struggles is one way for the congregation to form a bond, create safe spaces and offer emotional support to each other.

Give education sessions health and wellness: Churches can raise awareness and reduce stigma around various health issues and illnesses by inviting health officials in church and providing health resources such as a first aid kit.

 Menstrual Health Management in the Church:

Musa Dlamini (Days for Girls ambassador) explained to the church leaders that DfG works to eliminate stigma around menstruation an end period poverty by giving accurate menstrual health education and sustainable menstrual health solution. 

Days for Girls menstrual health education sessions go beyond menstrual health as they tap into puberty, psychological empowering conversations to raise self-esteem, SRH and other contextual topics such as teenage pregnancy and Gender Based Violence. Musa stressed that it is crucial to have these conversations with the youth as the youth make up a great portion of the church. Life skills conversations offer guidance and preparation, it helps young individuals navigate through life challenges with a foundation in scripture of which enhancing Christian living. DfG further advocated for the church to not alienate itself from societal issues as the people impacted are in the congregation. Church leaders were encouraged to promote menstrual equity, by supporting menstruators as menstruators are in the church. Churches can do this by buying sanitary pads to provide to menstruators in the event of a period emergency.

 (Church leaders)

In conclusion, health topics in the church are integral to nurturing the holistic well-being of individuals and communities, aligning with Christian teachings and fostering a supportive environment for health and wellness.

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