That there are various conventions and linked action plans that elaborate on women's sexual and reproductive rights but stop short of explicitly naming menstruation as one of the most stigmatized,

Proper management of menstruation also requires availability of water. Women use more water in their day-to-day activities. It is strange however that water, sanitation and hygiene services ignore the needs of half the population that menstruate on an average for 3,000 days over their lifetime. Women face challenges that include water cuts and unavailability of water in some areas. There is also a need to have private space for washing and cleaning the body. Further facilities for proper disposal of used materials are necessary for women to manage this biological function with safety and dignity. Management of menstruation is also compromised by the lack of proper facilities in rural areas.

 Most latrines have no doors, compromising safety and privacy for women and girls. Girls then sometimes go to toilets in groups to provide protective cover, losing time in class. There are no indoor hand-wash basins in these toilets and no privacy to deal with accidents that occur. Some of the toilets have squat holes that are not comfortable to use.

It is interesting that there are various conventions and linked action plans that elaborate on women's sexual and reproductive rights but stop short of explicitly naming menstruation as one of the most stigmatized, silent and socially-constructed silent curses that plagues a third of the world's population, especially in the developing world. 

The recognition of difference and diversity is fundamental to guaranteeing the enjoyment of full human rights. Menstruation is the natural monthly occurrence in healthy adolescent girls with the onset occurring anytime between the ages of 8 and 16 and pre-menopausal adult women, resulting in about 3,000 days of a menstruation in an average woman's lifetime. The neglect of menstruation and its implications for the dignity, health and safety of women is increasingly well documented and urgently needs attention.