Phnom Penh: The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has encouraged other countries to eliminate taxes on menstrual products.
On May 23, 2026, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Cambodia collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Youth and Sports Phnom Penh and local authorities celebrated Menstrual Health Day to promote better health for women and girls.
The program was held at Kok Trang Secondary School in Chom Chao Sangkat, Por Sen Chey District, Phnom Penh, with the participation of Mr. Saing Sophal, Director of the Academic Health Office, represented by Mr. Hem Sinareth, Director of the Youth Education Department and Phnom Penh Sports, Dr. John Phanna, Director of the Cambodian Program of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, principals, teachers and approximately 300 students.
Speaking on Menstrual Health Day on the occasion, Dr. John Phanna said, “Menstrual Health Day is held with the aim of providing knowledge regarding the challenges and other solutions during menstruation to reduce discrimination during menstruation and promote access to safe, clean facilities and free or affordable sanitary pads for those in need, including key measures to protect general health and reduce vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Dr. Chhim Sarath, Asia Director of The AHF said that in many parts of Asia, stigma and silence around menstruation continue to be barriers to accessing menstrual products and essential health information. When people cannot safely manage their periods, it has health and safety consequences and makes them vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The doctor said that Menstrual Health Day is therefore a reminder that promoting access, education and broad discussion are essential to protecting individual and public health. Many Asian countries that have eliminated taxes on menstrual products are helping to expand access to menstrual supplies and services.
The doctor added that globally, nearly 2 billion people menstruate, of whom 500 million face menstrual poverty, including a lack of adequate products, facilities, and and a supportive environment.
Mr. Saing Sophal, Director of the Academic Health Office, Department of Education, Youth and Sports, Phnom Penh, considered this Menstrual Health Day to be very important in contributing, finding support and solutions, managing health, age-appropriate reproductive health education, and reinforcing the importance of girls attending school to avoid HIV infection and unplanned pregnancies. Building life skills and other important issues that affect their health, especially promoting comprehensive reproductive health education and gender equality, awareness and helping girls live healthy lives that enable them to attend school and give them the right to control their lives.
