In a major step toward making Bhutan a more period-friendly society, Her Royal Highness Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Patron of Red Dot Bhutan launched sanitary pad disposal bins in 562 schools and 32 nunneries to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28.
“The presence of pad bins empowers adolescent girls and women by providing a safe and respectful way to manage menstruation, reducing the stress of finding a discreet place to dispose sanitary products. It also contributes to cleaner public spaces and supports proper solid waste management, aligning with our national goals for environment,” states Her Royal Highness’s directive. Her Royal Highness urged Dzongkhags and Thromdes to ensure that all public toilets across the country are equipped with sanitary pad disposal bins.
The event held in Gelephu under the theme “Together for a Period-friendly Bhutan,” also featured a 2-kilometer “Walk for a Period-Friendly Bhutan” led by Her Royal Highness and joined by over 600 students and guests to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene.
During the event, the Hon’ble Lyonpo for Education and Skills reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to menstrual hygiene and emphasised the need for menstrual health literacy. “I am confident that the Gelephu Mindfulness City will be exemplary of a period-friendly society, one that sets the highest standards of menstrual hygiene management that the rest of the country looks up to,” she added.
As of 2023, 63% of our schools have disposal mechanisms for menstrual hygiene waste, 41% have covered disposal bins and 46% have changing rooms for menstrual hygiene management. The government is committed to achieving 100% period-friendly schools and nunneries by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan.
To ensure access to safe water for menstrual hygiene needs, the Ministry with support from UNICEF Bhutan is constructing water supply systems in 15 schools across 11 Dzongkhags benefitting 8,758 students including 4,480 girls.
In his remarks, Governor of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering stressed the importance of hygiene management and assured a period-friendly society in Gelephu.
Reiterating UNICEF’s continued support, UNICEF Bhutan’s Deputy Representative Fawzia Hoodbhoy commended the Royal Government of Bhutan’s commitment to making Bhutan an inclusive and period-friendly society.
“Along with improving access to menstrual health and hygiene services for our girls and women, we must continue to work towards addressing the social norms and myths around menstruation to become a period-friendly society,” the Deputy Representative said.
The initiative received significant support from the community and the private sector. The Gelephu Business Community contributed 150 pad bins while the Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank, Bhutan Heli, Lhaki Steels and Rolling, Phuensum Builders, Perfect Enterprise, Samtse Ferro Pvt Ltd, Rigsar Construction and Kuenphen Medical contributed pad bins worth over Nu.200,000 to Red Dot Bhutan.
Schools across the country also celebrated the day emphasising the importance of creating an inclusive environment where all women and girls can manage their menstruation with dignity contributing to their health, education and overall well-being.
Menstrual Hygiene Day observed globally has been celebrated in Bhutan since 2015. Red Dot Bhutan, the initiative launched under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness is a platform to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene management particularly in schools.
