In many developing countries, millions of girls and women are left to manage their menstrual cycles with whatever they can find, such as cloth, paper or clay; that’s according to the UN.

When you add a lack of access to water and soap, the programme manager for the UN’s Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, says that women’s health could be put at risk.

Archana Patkar was participating in a panel debate on menstrual health at UN headquarters in New York, where she highlighted the importance of breaking the silence on the subject.

Cathrine Hasselberg spoke with Ms Patkar about some of the issues surrounding menstrual health.

Duration: 3’56”