Research Paper 4 – Current government policy on menstrual health and hygiene in South Africa

Research Paper No.4

Key Takeaways

The focus of the paper is analysing the recent Sanitary Dignity Framework and the progress of its implementation. The paper identifies five limitations of the Sanitary Dignity Framework:

• The Framework is not grounded in context-specific information about menstruation in South Africa.
• The Framework lacks detailed, fit-for-purpose norms and standards.
• The Framework does not cover access to accurate and timeous information on menstruation.
• There is an overemphasis on objectives outside of ensuring menstrual health and hygiene at the expense of efficiency and reach.
• The Framework does not define the functions of the inter-ministerial committee.
• The implementation of the Framework has been slow and unequal across the provinces.

The paper recommends that the Sanitary Dignity Framework be redrafted based on credible evidence-based research and the updated Framework must include detailed norms and standards and a clear, phased implementation plan.

Cornerstone Economic Research