To celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, EDANA has joined forces with nonwovens associations AHPMA, the Absorbent Hygiene Product Manufacturers Association, BAHP, the Center For Baby and Adult Hygiene Products, and INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, for a dedicated week of action, shining a spotlight on the history, progress, and future of menstrual health and hygiene.

Throughout the week, the four associations will publish a daily series of posts across their digital channels, each focusing on a different aspect of menstrual hygiene—from the historical evolution of products to the origins and growth of Menstrual Hygiene Day to a shared vision for a period-friendly world.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 and was first celebrated in 2014. It was established by WASH United to advance dialogue on menstruation, improve menstrual health management, and foster more inclusive policies around the world. The date, May 28, symbolically represents the average length of a menstrual cycle (28 days) and the average duration of menstruation (five days).

The campaign began with a look back at the evolution of menstrual care products. For centuries, menstruating individuals relied on natural materials such as moss, animal skins, and cloth rags. The early 20th century saw significant developments, including the use of cellulose during World War I, which paved the way for the first commercially available pads in the 1920s. The decades that followed brought advances in materials, design, and comfort, reflecting a growing awareness of the need for effective, discreet, and hygienic menstrual products.

The week also traced the origins of Menstrual Hygiene Day itself. In 2012, efforts to normalize menstruation gained global traction as grassroots organizations, UN agencies, and advocates worked to confront stigma and improve access to menstrual health education. This momentum led to the launch of a month-long social media campaign in 2013, which evolved into the first official Menstrual Hygiene Day the following year, with 145 partner organisations involved.

Since then, the movement has grown substantially. In 2024 alone, an estimated 966 million people were reached through Menstrual Hygiene Day campaigns—up nearly 38% from the previous year. Media coverage has expanded from 89 articles in 2014 to over 23,000 in 2024, reflecting a marked increase in public interest and policy engagement.

As the campaign progressed throughout the week, EDANA and its partners focused on current challenges and future goals. Key themes included ending period poverty, integrating menstrual health into school curricula, and ensuring menstrual hygiene management is part of national health and education policies.

EDANA remains committed to supporting safe, high-quality menstrual products and ensuring that everyone has the information, resources, and dignity they need to manage menstruation confidently. This week of action reaffirms the role of the industry in contributing to global progress on menstrual health and hygiene.