Development and compliance of standards for menstrual products in LMICs

Menstrual products range from disposable sanitary pads and tampons, reusable sanitary pads, and menstrual cups. Creation and adoption of standards is an important pathway for ensuring access to quality products and informed choice for management of menstruation. However, there is a lack of understanding of the landscape of standards in LMICs and related technical parameters. Development Solutions, with support from Menstrual Health Alliance India and the African Coalition for MHM, conducted a research and advocacy project supported by the Innovation Fund of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition to fill this gap for the categories of disposable and reusable sanitary pads. The project has helped understand the status of menstrual product standards in South Asia, Africa, and other LMIC regions, further efforts for harmonization of standards across geographies, and provided tools and recommendations for future advocacy by country stakeholders. This webinar will provide a snapshot of the findings and disseminate experiences of stakeholders working on strengthening menstrual product standards in East and Central Africa, India, and Nepal, amongst other regions.

Presenters:

• Tanya Mahajan, Senior Consultant, Development Solutions
• Sumati Joshi, Consultant, Development Solutions
• Dr. Michael Moscherosch, Research and Development Scientist, Johnson & Johnson
• Danielle Jurman, Humanitarian Supplies Analyst, Response and Technical Support Unit, Humanitarian Office, UNFPA
• Sophia Grinvalds, Co-founder and Director, AFRIpads
• Neville Okwaro, MHH champion, Kenya
• Shivani Swamy, VP - Sales, Middle East and Africa, Livinguard Technologies

Presentation: