Menstrual health has gained increasing prominence within global human rights discourse over the past decade. Despite this momentum, it continues to be treated primarily as a subset of other rights such as the rights to water and sanitation, health, and education rather than being recognized as a standalone right across international, regional, and national frameworks. Millions of menstruators worldwide continue to face barriers to safe, affordable, and dignified menstrual management. These barriers include persistent taxation of menstrual products, limited access to water and sanitation services, the absence of harmonized international product standards, and inadequate transparency regarding ingredients used in menstrual products.

The lack of comprehensive policies and sustained advocacy reflects broader gender inequalities and gaps in health governance. Recognizing menstrual health as a human right is essential not only for advancing gender equality, but also for ensuring bodily autonomy, public health, and social justice. This discussion is timely one especially in Geneva, where global health and human rights actors intersect.

This panel aims to convene experts, researchers, practitioners, and civil society representatives to:

• Discuss menstrual health through a human rights lens and examine why recognition remains limited.
• Explore current research and initiatives that address menstrual health inequalities.
• Highlight the intersections between menstrual health, gender, socioeconomic inequalities, and human rights.
• Identify opportunities for advancing menstrual rights within global and local governance structures.
• Foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among academia, civil society, and practitioners working in the field.

The panel will be moderated by Sahanah Kathirvelu, Visiting Fellow in the Gender Centre.