Breaking the Silence: Examining the Role of Men in Menstrual Equity

Menstruation and the Silence Around Men

Menstruation has long been relegated to the private sphere, treated as a “women’s issue” and rarely discussed openly. This silence perpetuates stigma and reinforces the long-existing idea that menstrual health is solely the responsibility of women and girls. An increasing body of evidence, however, suggests that involving fathers, brothers, and male peers in menstrual health conversations is critical for dismantling shame, promoting support, and advancing menstrual equity. A recent UNICEF and WHO report found that only about 39% of schools worldwide provide menstrual health education, highlighting the gaps in learning spaces where boys have the opportunity to learn about menstruation.¹ At home, this pattern continues, as teens report that fathers are less likely than mothers to be trusted sources of guidance about periods, suggesting persistent generational and gender differences in how menstruation is discussed and who is included in the conversation.²

Men’s absence or lack of engagement in conversations about menstruation can have broader developmental implications. Studies associating father absence with earlier pubertal timing in girls suggest that paternal involvement, beyond just menstrual education, can influence a daughter’s physical and psychosocial growth. Early puberty has been linked to higher risks of menstrual problems and poorer menstrual preparedness.^3,4

Fathers as Supporters and Gatekeepers

Fathers often act as household decision-makers, responsible for making choices about health, purchasing, and school attendance. In cases where fathers are informed and supportive of menstrual health, they are more likely to prioritize buying sanitary products, advocating for clean washroom facilities, and normalizing menstruation as a healthy biological process. According to a study conducted at a pediatric gynecology clinic, most fathers of adolescent girls expressed openness to discussing menstrual concerns and a genuine concern for their daughters’ well-being. However, the research also highlighted their limited knowledge of menstrual symptoms and treatment options, reflecting a gap between willingness and practical understanding.⁵ The IMAGE (IMARA for Black Male Caregivers and Girls Empowerment) pilot project has shown that when male caregivers are provided with resources and education, they are better equipped to empower their daughters and challenge traditional caregiving norms.⁶ Programs like these highlight the critical role that paternal understanding plays, not only in providing material support but also in fostering an environment where girls feel safe and respected.

In addition, advocacy organizations like Days for Girls have developed “Men Who Know” curricula that train men and boys to be menstrual health advocates. These programs cover reproductive biology, hygiene practices, and ways men can actively support menstruators, showing promising engagement outcomes.⁷

When fathers publicly model support, for example, by purchasing menstrual products without shame, these behaviours have been tied to shifts in family attitudes and increased willingness among girls to seek menstrual-related health care. One UNICEF initiative in India documented that men who spoke out against restrictive menstrual practices contributed more to girls attending school during their periods and improved access to hygiene.⁸

Brothers as Allies: Reducing Teasing and Building Empathy

Brothers also play an important role in shaping girls’ experiences of menstruation. Bullying, teasing, or stigmatizing comments from male siblings and peers are among the main contributors to menstrual shame. Involving boys in menstrual health education can counter this by building empathy and encouraging respectful dialogue. A pilot intervention in Bangladesh that included boys in puberty and menstrual hygiene workshops found that boys’ knowledge of menstruation increased, while their comfort in discussing puberty improved as well.⁹ Similarly, a study from rural India revealed that boys often relied on media, peers, and cultural narratives for their understanding of menstruation and expressed a desire for more accurate and respectful information. Boys with sisters or female friends were generally more knowledgeable and more empathetic, underscoring the influence of relationships in shaping attitudes.¹⁰ 

Building Inclusive Conversations About Menstruation

The pathway toward menstrual equity requires deliberate inclusion of men in both education and advocacy. Schools that integrate boys into menstrual health programs, rather than excluding them, have demonstrated measurable improvements in knowledge and comfort with the topic.⁹ Families that cultivate open dialogue, with fathers taking part in conversations about menstruation, help normalize the subject and close the gap between intent and meaningful caregiving.⁵ On a community level, advocacy campaigns that highlight male allies are essential to shifting cultural norms. Featuring fathers and brothers who speak openly about menstruation challenges stereotypes and redefines menstruation as a shared human experience rather than a private burden.⁶ Experts have argued that men’s involvement is not only beneficial but necessary for ending period poverty, given that men often hold positions of influence in policy and household economics.¹¹

Advocacy groups are increasingly calling on men to advocate for policy shifts, such as providing free menstrual products in public spaces, schools, and workplaces, and to fundraise or support product innovations. These efforts not only address access but also target the systemic roots of stigma by centering men as active participants in menstrual justice.¹²

A Shared Responsibility for Menstrual Equity

Menstrual health is not just a biological or women’s issue but a human rights issue. Fathers and brothers have the power to normalize menstruation, expand access to resources, and create environments free from stigma. By bringing men into the conversation, societies can dismantle outdated taboos and build systems of support that empower girls and women. To achieve menstrual equity, men must move beyond silence and become allies who stand in solidarity. The inclusion of fathers and brothers represents not only a cultural shift but also a step toward genuine equality in health and dignity for all.

Ultimately, menstrual equity is strongest when it is shared. Every time a father chooses to learn rather than remain silent, the stigma surrounding menstruation weakens. These actions may seem small, but they collectively form the foundation of a world where menstrual health is recognized, respected, and supported as a universal right.

References:

1. UNICEF, & WHO. (2024, May 27). Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools 2015-2023: Special focus on menstrual health. UNICEF Data. https://data.unicef.org/resources/jmp-wash-in-schools-2024/

2. PERIOD. & Thinx. (2023). State of Period Study 2023. Period Action Day. https://www.periodactionday.com/pad2023#:~:text=STATE%20OF%20THE%20PERIOD%20STUDY%202023&text=The%20third%20installment%20of%20this,a%20decrease%20in%20period%20stigma.

3. Deardorff, J., Ekwaru, J. P., Kushi, L. H., Ellis, B. J., Greenspan, L. C., Mirabedi, A., Landaverde, E. G., & Hiatt, R. A. (2011). Father absence, body mass index, and pubertal timing in girls: Differential effects by family income and ethnicity. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(5), 441-447. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21501801/ 

4. Healey, A. C. (2006). Father absence and early family composition as a determinant of menarche timing (Master’s thesis, East Tennessee State University). East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2172/ 

5. Girling, J. E., Marino, J.L., Grover. S. R., & co-authors. (2018). Paternal understanding of menstrual concerns in young girls. Journal of Adolescent Health. Advance online publication. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29655581/

6. Crooks, N. (2025) An acceptability and feasibility pilot of IMAGE for Black male caregivers and girls empowerment (IMAGE): A family-based HIV prevention intervention (Abstract 93). Journal of Adolescent Health. https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(24)00665-7/pdf

7. Days for Girls. (2025). Men Who Know: Menstrual health curriculum for men and boys. https://www.daysforgirls.org/men-who-know/

8. UNICEF ROSA. (2022, June 6). Men break taboos and lead conversations around menstruation. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/men-break-taboos-and-lead-conversations-around-menstruation 

9. Khan, R., Sarker, S., Sultana, F., Alam, M. U., Mahfux, M. T., Nuruzzaman, M., Uddin, M. R., Masud, A. A., Khan, S. M., Hunter, E. C., Unicomb, L., Rahman, M., Luby, S. P., & Winch, P. J. (2023). Engaging boys in menstrual hygiene management (MHM) interventions in Bangladeshi schools: A pilot study. Journal of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for Development, 12 (2), 113-123. https://iwaponline.com/washdev/article/13/2/113/93070/Engaging-boys-in-menstrual-hygiene-management-MHM

10. Abraham, D. M., & Saliha, F. B. (2025). Awareness and perception of adolescent boys about menstruation: An exploratory study from rural India. Discover Public Health, 22, 205. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12982-025-00600-y 

11. Aclad. (2024, July 1). Dear men, you must act as partners in combating menstrual stigma. ACLAD HQ. https://aclad-hq.org/dear-men-you-must-act-as-partners-in-combating-menstrual-stigma/ 

12. Wateraid (2024, May 27). Shifting the paradigm: Men’s crucial contribution to menstrual health and hygiene. WaterAid. https://www.wateraid.org/in/blog/shifting-the-paradigm-mens-crucial-contribution-to-menstrual-health-and-hygiene