When it comes to menstruation, the world is still playing catch-up on education, access, and empathy. But people like Imoh Eboh are boldly leading the charge toward change. To commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, Glazia sat down with this passionate advocate to unpack the realities of menstrual health, the myths still plaguing menstrual conversations, and the powerful work being done to ensure no one is held back by their cycle.

Exploring Menstrual Health, Equity and Empowerment

About Imoh

A Global leader in the film and media industry, Imoh Eboh is an actor and audiovisual creative producer. She is passionate about the film industry, creating content and entertaining people. This has led her to a series of great performances on TV, in film, on stage, on radio and online. 

She is the mind behind the short film ‘28 Days’ that gives a quick 5 minutes’ insight on the woman’s menstrual cycle.

Imoh enjoys traveling, connecting with people, experiencing various cultures and different ways of life. She is not one to shy away from a good time as she lights up any room she steps into.

What does Menstrual Health Day mean to you, and why is it important to raise awareness about menstrual health?

It is a day that gives voice to a very important topic. I hope that in the coming years, it will become a full fledged celebration of womanhood. A celebration that will end FGM across the world. A celebration for girls to know they are growing girls and not brides or mothers. 

How can we break the stigma surrounding menstruation and create a more supportive environment for women?

To break the stigma, we must amplify campaigns that promote menstrual health and hygiene. By doing so, we create space for women to speak openly about our bodies, without shame, without guilt, and with the confidence that their voices matter. 

Women face challenges during their menstrual cycle. What are they and how can they be addressed?

Menstrual experiences vary widely and that’s part of the challenge. While some people have a textbook 28-day cycle, others face irregular bleeding, months-long gaps, or constant discomfort. Conditions like PCOS, fibroids, and endometriosis disrupt not just the cycle, but the peace of mind every woman deserves. Ideally, the body should move through the four phases—menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal—within 28 days and without pain.

But for many, that’s far from reality.

The first step to reclaiming control is education. Understand your body, listen to the signals, and if something feels off, speak up. No one should suffer in silence. Your OBGYN should be your best friend. Tracking your cycle, embracing what feels different, and seeking professional guidance can make all the difference. Empowerment starts with knowledge and care.

Education and awareness about menstrual health needs to be improved. How can this be done, particularly in underserved communities?

Sweet Potato Media, ADANSONIA Foundation and a host of other well meaning individuals have decided to democratize knowledge through film. We have a short film titled 28 Days, that helps people better understand the woman’s cycle. Materials such as this should be introduced to schools, urban and rural communities across the world. 

How can we ensure access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products for all, and what alternatives can be explored?

Policymakers must engage more deeply with women’s realities—especially when it comes to menstrual health. Celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day shouldn’t end with a social media post; it should translate into real, impactful change. We’ve seen promising examples: the UN Headquarters in Geneva now stocks free pads and tampons in its women’s restrooms, and Spain’s policy granting menstrual leave offers a powerful nod to dignity and wellbeing. But there’s more to be done.

Governments can start by removing taxes on sanitary products, making them more affordable across the board. At the same time, more disposable pads should be produced and distributed, especially to girls and women in underserved communities. Menstrual equity is not a privilege—it’s a right. And policies must reflect that. 

What cultural or societal norms perpetuate menstrual stigma, and how can we work to change these attitudes?

Let’s call it what it is, ignorance. A lack of education around menstrual health continues to fuel stigma and silence. But there’s hope. This year alone, more people have started speaking openly about menstruation, and it’s been refreshing to witness that shift. To build a truly period-friendly world, we must keep the conversation going and expand it. Everyone needs to be part of it, including young boys. I say this with pride: my father taught me how to track my cycle. That’s the kind of inclusive education and support we need at home, in schools, and across society. 

How can technology and innovation be leveraged to improve menstrual health outcomes, such as through period-tracking apps or sustainable products?

That is already being done. Women would also need to learn to count and morph machine learning and artificial intelligence to help us automate calculation. I personally do not use apps, I use my calendar to monitor changes on my own. I however encourage women to use the available apps that there are. 

What are some ways to involve men and boys in conversations about menstrual health, and why is their support crucial?

Help them understand, by speaking to them about it. Get our husbands and partners involved in the count. Help boys understand why girls ask if they are stained. My secondary school classmate ‘Kelechi Okere’ was the first to let me know I was stained. He joined my ‘checkers’ till secondary school was over. 

Looking ahead, what are some key goals or initiatives you’d like to see implemented to improve menstrual health globally?

Our documentary on the woman’s cycle, from the first drop of blood to the last drop (menstruation to menopause). For this to be in digital libraries across the world. 

Rapid-Fire Questions

What’s one thing everyone should know about menstrual health?: It is not dirty or shameful. 

Most pressing menstrual health issue today: The price of menstrual products. 

One myth about menstruation you’d like to debunk: It is not unclean. Religions need to set a paradigm shift on that thought. 

Simple actions people can take to promote menstrual health awareness: Be open about it. It is not a secret, just like pregnancy is not a secret. 

As we reflect on Menstrual Hygiene Day, this conversation with Imoh reminds us that real change starts with bold voices, honest dialogue, and relentless action. Menstruation is not a weakness—it’s a sign of life, strength, and resilience. By creating space for stories like Imoh’s, we’re not just raising awareness—we’re rewriting the narrative.

Let’s commit to a world where periods are no longer a problem, but a shared responsibility. Because dignity shouldn’t come with conditions—and no one should ever bleed in silence.