WoMena WoMena
WoMena is an NGO working with the implementation of innovative reproductive health solutions (e.g. menstrual cup, reusable pads) in developing contexts, currently focusing on menstrual health. WoMena consists of Public Health, Development, Medical, Communication & Sociology professionals with expertise in reproductive health. African women is one of the key groups that we focus on, while involving men positively in our work and solutions is also a key priority. To address the issues above, we provide services for the private sector, NGOs, governments and research institutions such as:
- Literature review and policy analysis
- Research design and implementation
- Program design and assessment
- Grant proposals and management
- Action plans for bridging research and policy
In addition to our commissioned work, we do strategic independent work related to our core issues, such as strategic analysis and presentation of information related to menstrual cups and family planning to central stakeholders and fora.
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Capacity developmentTechnology comparisonsCommunity sanitationPublic awareness, advocacy and civil society engagement WASH and nutritionHealth and hygieneInternational NGO
Countries of Activity
DenmarkUganda
Resources in SuSanA Library
Cláudio Antônio Klaus Júnior • (2023) Direito, Saneamento e Sustentabilidade: Uma Análise Comparativa entre Municípios do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, e da Província de Ontário, Canadá, à Luz dos Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável 6 e 11 (Dissertação)
A análise comparativa entre os municípios de Caçador, Videira e Concórdia, em Santa Catarina, no Brasil, e Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Chatham-Kent, Woodstock e Kenora, em Ontário, no Canadá possibilita a identificação de diferenças e semelhanças nos sistemas de saneamento, compreensão dos desafios e oportunidades e, consequentemente, […]}
Moore, J. • (2021) Menstrual Health Pilot Project in the Trampoline House
Female asylum seekers and refugees face challenges in access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care and face disproportionate outcomes. Menstrual Health Management (MHM) has also been noted as a concern, particularly relating to a lack of knowledge and access to appropriate management methods. Implications for poor MHM are wide […]}
Sørensen, K. H., Kurp, A. • (2021) Menstrual Health Management amongst the Nest International’s Users in Copenhagen-Pilot Project
Foreign sex workers in Denmark are triply marginalised - due to their profession, legal status, as well as in matters related to menstruation. This pilot project aimed to assess the acceptability of the menstrual cup (MC) as well as education in menstrual health management (MHM) amongst 26 women from this […]}
WoMena • (2021) How can Males be engaged in Menstrual Health & Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights?
WoMena considers positive social norms as an essential component of menstrual health. Therefore, since its beginnings in 2012, WoMena has included community engagement, in particular male engagement, as part of its theory of change and policy. WoMena has also developed a 10-point strategy and reflected this in its monitoring and […]}
WoMena • (2020) Are Menstrual Cups regulated by governments around the world?
WoMena Summary and Approach WoMena sometimes gets the question: Are menstrual cups (MCs) ‘regulated’ by governments? This is an important question for Government Departments, donors, NGOs and others when planning MC interventions to ensure safety and efficacy of the products. The question sometimes extends beyond MCs to other menstrual health management […]}
WoMena • (2020) Rapid Assessment Infographic: COVID-19 & MHM
WoMena Uganda conducted a rapid assessment in collaboration with WoMena’s Knowledge Management team in six districts in Uganda to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on menstruating girls and women. The infographic shows the assessment’s preliminary findings on menstruation status and practices, gender-based violence (GBV), water, sanitation and hygiene […]}
WoMena • (2020) What are the links between Menstrual Health Management & Gender-Base Violence?
WoMena SUMMARY [1] There is a growing understanding that gender-based violence (GBV) has many dimensions, both physical and psychological. It additionally includes both a deliberate deprival of dignity and access to basic services. This also applies to menstrual health management (MHM): Physical violence: menstrual products can be expensive; this at times causes […]}
WoMena • (2020) Stress and the Menstrual Cycle
Did you know stress can impact your menstrual cycle and change your menstrual period? Listen to WoMena Trainer Faith Kichodo explain the changes you may see during this stressful period, and remember: Menstruation does not stop for the pandemic, and we are in this together.}
WoMena • (2020) How does inadequate Menstrual Health Management pose challenges to achieving the SDGs?
Menstruation is connected to many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is not unique – many other fields also find this connectedness. However, we find it particularly striking in view of the fact that menstruation has only become a high profile issue in the last 5-10 years, and is […]}
Jahangir, A., Cheng, D., Nakalema, S., Hytti, L., Hildenbrand, H. • (2020) Menstrual cup market accessibility project
WoMena Uganda in collaboration with several partners (Marie Stopes Uganda, Welthungerhilfe, private pharmacies, Ruby Life, and HUE Experiential) conducted the Menstrual Cup Market Accessibility Project in Uganda to integrate menstrual cup (MC) distribution and 6 payment models into service delivery and evaluate the models in terms of effectiveness and feasibility. […]}
WoMena • (2020) Menstrual Cup Intervention in Adjumani District Uganda - Final Implementation Report
In Uganda approximately 86% of South Sudanese refugee arrivals are women and children (UNHCR, 2017a). Globally, girls and women often lack the ability to manage their menstruation with dignity due to lack of adequate and private facilities, safe, acceptable and accessible menstrual health products and knowledge, which can be further […]}
WoMena & WoMena Uganda • (2020) Beyond Distribution: A Feasibility Study of Introducing a Menstrual Health Component into Four Secondary Schools in Buikwe Districkt, Uganda (Phase 1)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), menstrual health is often considered a taboo and many girls and women lack access to safe and appropriate menstrual health management (MHM) products. This can have far-reaching implications for women and girls’ physical, social and mental wellbeing, as well as for their sexual reproductive health […]}
WoMena • (2020) WoMena FAQ: COVID-19 and Menstruation – what are the challenges?
This mini-FAQ is being updated as we get new information and comments. At this point, the scientific evidence is limited, so we also use informal sources such as media as well as our own observations in WoMena’s work. Comments, questions, corrections are welcome. WoMena’s contribution: WoMena works in a […]}
WoMena • (2020) Menstrual Cup Short FAQs and Answers
WoMena receives many questions from the women and girls we reach out to, from our trainers and our partners. Therefore, the team collect a series of questions and answers regarding topics like Menstrual Cups functionality, maintenance, health & safety, economy, and other concerns. WoMena periodically update the questions and answers.}
WoMena • (2020) WoMena FAQS: Does menstruation make girls miss school?
Q1: Do girls miss school because of menstruation? ‘One in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their period’. This truism has not been substantiated, but empirical evidence from low- and middle-income countries has accumulated, confirming a negative effect at varying levels (from less than 10 to more than […]}
WoMena • (2018) Menstrual Cup Research Dissemination Meeting - Menstrual Cups: Innovative Menstrual Health Management
The purpose of this meeting was to share research updates about Menstrual Health Management (MHM) and experiences about the implementation of the menstrual cup (MC) as an innovative MHM solution in East Africa. The objectives were: 1. To promote the sharing of evidence in Uganda to improve MHM across East Africa. 2. To create a […]}
WoMena • (2019) WoMena FAQ: Do menstrual products contain harmful substances?
Should we worry? Many people worry that menstrual products may contain harmful substances, particularly since products are used for a prolonged time in close contact with highly absorbent skin around the vagina. So, should we be concerned? What are the ingredients in menstrual products? Ingredients vary greatly, both by type […]}
Hytti, L., Simkute, S. and Jahangir, A. • (2019) Menstrual Cup Interventions Follow-up Study, Uganda
Globally many women and girls do not have access to appropriate Menstrual Health Management (MHM) methods that are effective, comfortable, convenient, affordable and safe to use and dispose of. Combined with inadequate facilities, social support and knowledge of menstruation as well as prevailing menstrual taboos and stigma, the lack of […]}
WoMena • (2019) WoMena FAQ: What is the environmental impact of menstrual products?
WoMena’s SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Which, and how many, products are used? This FAQ focuses on disposable or reusable products, which are commercially available. Little information is available on traditional or homemade products. Estimates of how many products are used differ widely. Some estimates from High-Income Countries indicate around 30 products per […]}
WoMena • (2018) WoMena FAQs: Can you use a Menstrual Cup when also using an IUD?
WOMENA RECOMMENDATIONS Based on available evidence, expert opinion, recommendations from health authorities as well as from manufacturers, there is little scientific evidence to indicate that menstrual cup use increases the risk of IUD expulsion, and therefore little reason for IUD users to exclude using an MC. In the spirit of precaution, […]}
WoMena • (2018) WoMena FAQs: Does the use of menstrual cups increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome?
WOMENA RECOMMENDATIONS The risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) for women using Menstrual Cups (MCs) is very low. In 1979-80, large numbers of menstruation-associated cases of TSS appeared. In the US alone, more than 1000 cases were reported in 1980. An ultra-absorbent tampon (Rely) was identified as a main reason for this […]}
Tellier, M., Hyttel, M., Gad, M. • (2012) Pilot Study Report: Assessing acceptability and hygienic safety of menstrual cups as a menstrual management method for vulnerable young women in Uganda Red Cross Society's Life Planning Skills Project
Study objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess young girls and women’s acceptability, suitability and hygienic safety of using menstrual cups in Uganda, when introducing cups through the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) Life Planning Skills (LPS) project framework. In the long-‐term, this is intended to support the […]}
WoMena • (2018) WOMENA FAQs: What are menstrual irregularities?
In the communities where WoMena works, girls and women frequently ask about menstrual irregularities. Clearly, they are concerned, both about their general health, and their fertility. Irregularities take many forms - age at onset of menarche or menopause, length of cycle, amount of bleeding, menstrual pain and discomfort, as well […]}
Hyttel,M., Thomsen,C.F, Luff, B., Storrusten, H. , Nyakato, V. N. . • (2017) Drivers and challenges to use of menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Uganda: a qualitative study
Is the menstrual cup a potential solution to address the challenges surrounding menstrual health and management (MHM) for girls and women in low-income contexts? This qualitative study assessed the drivers and challenges for acceptability of the menstrual cup (MC) among schoolgirls in rural Uganda. The study included 36 schoolgirls aged […]}
WoMena • (2018) WoMena FAQs: Do menstrual cups affect hymens/virginity?
WoMena believes in providing best available evidence, so that women and girls, and their communities, can make informed choice. Using menstrual cups does not affect virginity, and there is as yet no evidence that menstrual cups affect the corona. However, out of respect for cultural beliefs, WoMena recommends that, if […]}
CARE International and WoMena • (2018) Ruby Cups: Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement Taking Control
The Menstrual Hygiene Management pilot was conducted among 80 refugee women and girls, aged 15-30 years in Imvepi refugee settlement over four phases, namely (1) exploration, sensitization and training of trainers, (2) trainer trial period, (3) beneficiary training, and (4) menstrual cup (MC) trial period of beneficiaries and final evaluation. […]}
WoMena • (2018) WoMena FAQs: Is there any connection between menstrual cups and infections?
WOMENA SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Many women develop urogenital infections, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections, at some point in their life. Prevalence rates of 20-30% or more have been documented in both high-, middle- and low-income countries. Many infections are asymptomatic, meaning that those who have the infection do not […]}
Tellier, S., Hyttel, M. • (2018) Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa: a Review Paper
The review paper aims to identify possible linkages to SRHR-related issues, and to provide an overview of MHM policies and programs in the ESA region, with a focus on education, school and community-based sexuality education, WASH, sexual and reproductive health, workplace support and humanitarian programming, as well as opening up […]}
Gade, A., Hytti, L. • (2017) Menstrual health in Rhino Camp refugee settlement, West Nile, Uganda
A Menstrual Health pilot project by WoMena and ZOA implemented among South Sudanese refugees and host population in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. The pilot involved 4 primary schools, including students, parents and teachers, over 6 months. 4 different distribution models were applied among the participants; one school […]}
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