Upcoming global webinar tackles period stigma in faith communities – World Council of Churches

As the international community works toward achieving gender equality by 2030, faith leaders are stepping forward to address one of the most overlooked barriers to women’s empowerment: menstrual stigma. A joint webinar on 4 June from 15:00-16:30 CEST will explore how religious communities can lead transformative change in making menstruation a normal fact of life globally.
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“Faith communities have a unique moral authority to challenge harmful taboos that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential,” said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. “When we address menstrual hygiene with dignity and respect, we affirm the fundamental worth of every woman and girl.”
The “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld” webinar, hosted by the World Council of Churches, Norwegian Church Aid, and Partnerships for Religion and Development, will bring together diverse perspectives on this critical issue. 
Today, millions of women and girls worldwide face discrimination and exclusion simply because they menstruate. Due to societal taboos and lack of access to sanitary products, many use unhygienic alternatives that create health risks. Educational opportunities are lost when girls miss school during their monthly cycles, perpetuating cycles of inequality.
“This webinar marks our fourth year of sustained advocacy on an issue that churches and faith-based organisations have too often ignored,” noted Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food and coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network. “We’re building momentum toward a world where menstruation becomes a normal part of life rather than a source of shame.”
Participants will explore good practices, funding challenges, and concrete actions for local implementation. A key objective of this webinar is to involve men, especially in faith communities, to take leadership in ending the period poverty and stigma. 
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Ecumenical Centre
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