This publication brings together the key elements of the 16 presentations made at the Second Annual Virtual MHM in WinS Conference at UNICEF Headquarters in New York City on 21 November 2013. Building on recommendations from the MHM 2012 virtual conference, the 2013 conference focused on the research tools and instruments being used to explore MHM barriers and practices and to evaluate the interventions being trialed or implemented in various contexts.
- The one-day event brought together over 150 participants online, involving a range of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and MHM experts, global health and education researchers, social entrepreneurs and policymakers – from academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, advocacy organizations and UNICEF country offices implementing MHM-related activities.
- 16 presentations were made from countries around the world, on a wide range of MHM research being conducted in educational settings. The presentations focused on: (1) the tools/instruments utilized to explore MHM requirements of schoolgirls; and (2) the tools/instruments utilized for monitoring MHM interventions for schoolgirls.
- These case studies will assist WASH in Schools professionals to: 1) Document and disseminate the MHM practices and the MHM barriers girls face in various contexts. 2) Strengthen the outreach and content of WinS programmes by dealing more effectively with MHM issues. 3) Continue to advocate for MHM globally, regionally and locally (i.e., for inclusion of WinS sessions at regional and global meetings and conferences).
- There is much more to be learned about the MHM barriers facing schoolgirls and female teachers, and about the most effective interventions to address MHM in WinS.