Adequate Menstrual Hygiene Facilities

Output

Outcome

% of schools with facilities providing girls with sufficient privacy, water, and disposal options to manage menstruation safely and with dignity

This indicator measures the proportion of schools that provide adequate menstrual hygiene facilities. Such facilities enable girls to manage menstruation without missing classes, help them feel safe, comfortable, and confident at school, and reduce the risk of exclusion caused by inadequate infrastructure. By emphasizing privacy, water, disposal, and cleanliness, the indicator supports efforts to address gender disparities in education and aligns with international priority indicators for menstrual health monitoring.

Conduct a survey using observations in your target schools:

  

RECOMMENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS (Q) AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS (A)

Q1 for data collectors: Does the school have separate latrines for girls?

A1: yes / no

 

Q2 for data collectors: Can the latrines be locked from the inside?

A2: yes / no

   

Q3 for data collectors: Are the latrines reasonably clean and maintained?

A3: yes / no

    

Q4 for data collectors: Do the latrines offer sufficient privacy?

A4: yes / no

  

Q5 for data collectors: Is water for washing hands available nearby the latrines?

A5: yes / no 

  

Q6 for data collectors: Is soap for washing hands available nearby the latrines?

A6: yes / no 

Q7 for data collectors: Do the latrines have covered trash bins (or other disposal facilities) for used menstrual materials?

A7: yes / no

Q8 for data collectors (optional, for inclusivity): Are the facilities accessible for girls with disabilities?

A8: yes / no

      

The school is considered to have "adequate menstrual hygiene facilities" if all core conditions (Q1–Q7) are answered YES. To calculate the indicator's value, divide the number of schools with adequate menstrual hygiene facilities by the total number of assessed schools. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage. 

Disaggregate the data according to the criteria listed above - for example, % of schools with separate latrines for girls, % of schools where girls’ latrines have locks on the inside, etc. Additionally, disaggregate the data by geography (rural vs. urban, administrative units).

1) Consider cross-checking the validity of your conclusions with the girls studying in the assessed schools (through semi-structured interviews or sensitively facilitated focus group discussions).  

2) If resources are limited and it is not likely that schools could meet all the criteria, prioritize privacy, water, and disposal first.

3) In addition to reporting the overall indicator value, report also the percentage of schools meeting each individual criterion - for example, % of schools with separate latrines for girls. Disaggregating results in this way makes it easier to identify specific gaps and help you focus your activities on what is needed the most.