At the 2025 ACUNS Annual Meeting held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Benedicta Apuamah presented her research titled “Reimagining Sustainability: The Role of Female Hygiene Products in the Global Plastic Treaty and the Green Menstruation Movement.”
Her presentation examined the intersection of menstrual health, environmental sustainability, and global policy, with a focus on menstrual waste as an often-overlooked contributor to plastic pollution. Drawing attention to policy gaps affecting women and girls in low-resource settings, the session highlighted evidence-based strategies to improve access to sustainable menstrual products, reduce stigma, and strengthen women’s participation in sustainability conversations.
The presentation generated thoughtful dialogue among academics, UN officials, and development practitioners. Notably, Prof. Alice Odingo, ACUNS 2025 Program Co-Chair and a leading expert in waste management, underscored the urgency of the issue by noting that menstrual waste is among the most complex forms of waste to manage due to its chemical composition—affirming the relevance and timeliness of the research.
