MESH - Menstrual health as an entry point to sexual and reproductive health among young people
MESH aims to improve access to menstrual health information and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for young people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Menstrual health includes access to accurate information, menstrual products and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, as well as the ability to seek care for menstrual pain, discomfort or disorders. It is an important aspect of gender equality, education, wellbeing and sexual and broader reproductive health and rights. For many young people, menstruation is one of the first experiences that raises questions about the body, puberty, fertility, relationships and care-seeking. By using menstrual health as an entry point creates an opportunities to address stigma, provide reliable information and connect young people with youth friendly SRHR services, including contraception.
A central component of the project is capacity building for midwives. Through training and collaboration, MESH supports respectful and evidence-based care, strengthening midwives’ ability to respond to menstrual health needs and communicate with adolescents and young people in a respectful and non-judgemental way. Through outreach in schools and communities, midwives seeks to strengthen knowledge, challenge harmful norms and contribute to more supportive environments for young people’s health and rights.
Partners in DRC
The project is implemented through a multi-partner consortium that combines international research expertise with strong local leadership, ownership, and implementation capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales (ISTM) is the central academic partner in the DRC, leading midwifery education, training, and local implementation. ISTM plays a key role in capacity strengthening, data collection, and ensuring that the intervention is embedded within national training and service delivery systems.
SANRU (Santé Rurale) provides national leadership in health system strengthening and implementation across multiple provinces. SANRU supports coordination with local health authorities, community engagement, and integration of the intervention within existing health system structures.
DKT DRC contributes local expertise in social marketing and distribution of contraceptives and reproductive health products, ensuring access, affordability, and sustainability through established supply chains.
Karolinska Institutet (KI) supports the consortium through scientific leadership, study design, methodological oversight, and health policy expertise, as well as coordination of analysis and dissemination, working in close partnership with DRC-based institutions. KI contributes expertise in SRHR, midwifery, implementation research, and evidence-to-policy translation, including leadership of the stakeholder dialogue and co-creation process to support sustainable integration of menstrual health into school-linked, midwife-led SRHR services.