Speaker – Dr Jane Wilbur

Dr Jane Wilbur is an Assistant Professor focusing on disability at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. During her PhD, Jane investigated the barriers to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) that people with disabilities face; developed the Bishesta campaign – an MHM behaviour change intervention for young people with intellectual disabilities in Nepal and assessed its feasibility. The campaign has been adapted for humanitarian crises in Vanuatu. Jane has worked in East and Southern Africa, South Asia and the Pacific Islands. She has extensive experience researching, designing, implementing and evaluating inclusive WASH programmes and disseminating research to influence policy and practice. 

Theme

Menstrual health is a recognised public health, social and educational issue. Yet, many women and girls living in low-and middle-income countries have not achieved it and menstruation is often a source of fear, shame, isolation and anxiety. Experiences of menstruation are not consistent. Research shows that people with disabilities face additional challenges menstruating because of disability discrimination. For instance, many people hold the widespread misconception that women and girls with disabilities do not menstruate because they do not have the same reproductive systems as those without disabilities. This seminar explores the menstrual experiences of people with disabilities living in Nepal and Vanuatu and how the LSHTM, in partnership with WaterAid and World Vision, developed and delivered menstrual health interventions for people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers in these countries.

When

The seminar will take place online via zoom on Thursday July 6th, 13:30 – 14:30 (GMT+1). As with all our talks in this seminar series, it’s FREE for anyone to join! Register to attend the seminar here.