Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet in many parts of Indonesia, it remains surrounded by stigma, inadequate facilities, and limited awareness. Menstrual rights — including the right to hygienic management, access to products, education, and safe facilities — are increasingly recognized as crucial to gender equality, health, and dignity. Over recent years, various advocacy efforts have emerged in Indonesia, aiming to shift public policy, social norms, and infrastructure. But there are still gaps to close.

What Are Menstrual Rights?

Menstrual rights refer to the ability of people who menstruate to manage their periods safely and with dignity. This includes:

• Access to affordable, safe menstrual products

• Education about menstruation (before first period, puberty, etc.)

• Clean, private and functional toilets / washrooms

• Supportive policies (e.g. menstrual leave, anti-discrimination)

• An end to harmful cultural myths and taboos

These rights are framed both as health issues and human rights, linked to gender equality, school attendance, workplace participation, and overall well-being.

Key Advocacy Efforts in Indonesia

Several organizations, businesses, and government actors have been working on menstrual rights in Indonesia:

1. Perfect Fit (Tungga Dewi)
   Perfect Fit, founded in 2018, combines education and sustainable menstrual products. It works to address stigma, provide alternatives like reusable pads, menstrual cups, and organic/bamboo pads, and build awareness particularly in remote areas. (UNDP Indonesia, 2023)

2. Corporate & Brand Education Campaigns
   Brands like Kao Corporation/UNICEF in Tangerang have run “Menstrual Hygiene Management Projects,” distributing educational materials (“Rahasia Dua Dunia”) in junior high schools, training educators, and raising awareness about hygiene management. (Kao, 2020; Kao Indonesia, 2023)
   Another example: Laurier’s “GANBATE” campaign promotes changing sanitary pads every four hours, especially among teenage girls in schools and pesantren, helping reduce infections and improve hygiene.

3. Government Recognition
   The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has declared that menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a human right, and emphasized its inclusion in the sustainable development goals and gender equality policies. (Antara News, 2022)

4. Academic and Community Initiatives
   In Aceh, NGOs and health institutes have run education and training for adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene management (MHM). (Poltekkes Aceh, 2023; UNISMUH Palu, 2024)
   Research also highlights how knowledge, school sanitation facilities, and information are strongly linked with proper menstrual hygiene practices among junior high schoolers. 

5. Media & Social Media Advocacy
   Campaigns like “Red Days Alert” during Menstrual Hygiene Day use striking visuals and digital platforms to open up public conversation, break taboos, and encourage knowledge about menstrual hygiene among youth.
   There are also community-led groups such as G Cup Official Community Indonesia advocating for menstrual cups via social media, challenging myths and increasing visibility of sustainable menstrual product options. (Business Asia, 2023; UGM, 2024)

Remaining Challenges

Despite momentum, significant barriers persist:

• Stigma & Myths: Many people, particularly in remote or less educated areas, still believe menstruation is dirty, or that those who menstruate should limit activities or remain hidden.

• Facilities & Infrastructure: Many schools (both rural and urban) still lack adequate toilets, privacy, clean water, waste disposal, and menstrual product availability. This hampers girls’ attendance and well-being.

• Policy Implementation: For example, although there is discussion about menstrual leave (“cuti haid”) in Indonesia, implementation remains inconsistent and socially sensitive. Stigma, fear of judgement, and lack of employer support often discourage its uptake.

• Affordability and Access: Many menstruators, especially in poorer regions, struggle to afford sanitary products or opt for less safe/riskier alternatives.

What’s Next: Recommendations

To strengthen menstrual rights in Indonesia, the following actions are important:

• Scale up education programs, especially before menarche, in both schools and communities.

• Improve school and workplace infrastructure: private, clean toilets; proper disposal; free or subsidized products.

• Support policies like menstrual leave, stronger labor protections, and inclusion of menstruation in gender equality frameworks.

• Include men and boys in education to reduce stigma.

• Promote sustainable menstrual products to address environmental concerns.

Conclusion

Indonesia has made noticeable progress in menstrual rights: increased awareness, educational campaigns, involvement of government, and more visible advocacy. Nonetheless, many women and girls still lack full access to dignified menstrual care because of stigma, infrastructural gaps, and uneven policy implementation. Advocacy remains essential — not just for health, but for gender equity and human dignity.

References:

• Antara News. (2022, November 17). Menstrual hygiene management is women’s human right: ministry. Antara News

• Hadina, Batjo, & Hadriani. (2023). Promoting Menstrual Hygiene Management Education for Adolescent Girls: A Community Service Initiative. Jurnal Pengabdian Bidan Nasuha. jurnal.poltekkespalu.ac.id

• Kao. (2020). Kao Conducts Menstrual Hygiene Management Project in Indonesia. kao.com

• Laurier (Kao Indonesia). (2023). Laurier Supports Menstrual Hygiene Awareness through GANBATE Campaign. kao.com

• Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu. (2024). Relationship between Knowledge, Information, and School Sanitation Facility with Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among Schoolgirls. Jurnal Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu

• Politeknik Kesehatan Kementrian Kesehatan Aceh. (2023). Edukasi dan Pelatihan Menstrual Hygiene Management pada Remaja Putri. bansigom.org

• Politeknik Keuangan Negara STAN & Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta. (2024). Implementasi cuti haid di Indonesia: Berhasilkah penerapannya? jurnalku.org

• Smeru Research Institute. (2023, January 10). Menstrual Hygiene Management: Whose Responsibility? smeru.or.id