Menstrual Discrimination is an Underlying Challenge and Barrier that Limit Mobilization of, Access to or Effectiveness of Systemic Equalities and Human Right Based Climate Action

Founded in 2019, the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation (GSCDM) is a survivorled international coalition headquartered at the Radha Paudel Foundation in Kathmandu, Nepal. The coalition seeks to redefine the power and patriarchy through narrative change around menstruation moving beyond the conventional, biomedical framing of menstrual health and hygiene management. Instead, it advocates for a holistic, life-cycle, human rights approach that places dignified menstruation at the center of menstrual and other human rights discourse. In alignment with its transformative vision, GSCDM established International Dignified Menstruation Day on 8 December, strategically positioning this within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This timing is both symbolic and strategic, as it underscores the Coalition’s assertion that menstrual discrimination constitutes a pervasive yet underrecognized form of GBV and a direct violation of fundamental human rights. With a membership network comprising over 90 non-governmental organizations across diverse regional and socio-political contexts, GSCDM engages in research, policy advocacy, webinars, trainings, publications, conferences and other global activities.