This collection seeks to examine the multifaceted impact of menstruation—including menstrual health, hygiene, and justice—on adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) within educational settings in low-resource contexts. These include low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), high-income countries (HICs) with marginalized populations, and communities facing socioeconomic disadvantages, homelessness, or geographic isolation (e.g., rural and remote areas).

We aim to spotlight how inadequate menstrual health in these contexts can hinder girls’ educational experiences and broader life outcomes. Poor menstrual health is not only a barrier to consistent school attendance and academic performance but also has far-reaching implications for sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and long-term economic empowerment. We are particularly interested in studies that explore the intersectionality of menstrual health with other social determinants of health and education, and that evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, policies, and innovative approaches aimed at improving menstrual equity.

We welcome original research—both qualitative and quantitative—that investigates the challenges adolescent girls face with regards menstrual health while attending school, including those linked to reproductive and sexual health, and that proposes actionable solutions. Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Sociocultural taboos, stigma, and lack of a supportive school environment

• Educational gaps in menstrual and reproductive health literacy

• Causes of menstruation-related school absenteeism beyond a lack of products, and this absenteeism’s impact on academic and psychosocial outcomes

• Strategies to engage boys and male educators in fostering a positive and inclusive menstrual health culture

• Understanding the links between menstruation and other areas of sexual and reproductive health, including the links between menstruation and reproductive justice, and contraception and family planning

By bringing together diverse perspectives and evidence-based research, this collection aspires to inform policy, guide program development, and ultimately contribute to the empowerment and well-being of adolescent girls in under-resourced educational settings.

We are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or contact the Editor-in-Chief.

Reproductive Health is calling for submissions to our Collection on Gender Equity in Reproductive Health Service Access. Healthcare access is important in ensuring the attainment of the Third Sustainable Goal (SDG3) by 2030. Access to reproductive healthcare services, which enables persons to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy safe and satisfying sex lives is a vital component of total health. However, access to these services differs by gender, with men and women across the globe having unequal access to the necessary information and services they require to enjoy total wellbeing, satisfactory sex lives, protection from sexually transmitted infections, prevention of unwanted pregnancies, and the treatment of infertility. The known reasons behind this unequal access range from social and cultural to economic reasons. For instance, lessened decision-making and financial autonomy for women may restrict their access to timely and effective reproductive healthcare services necessary for treatment and prevention of adverse health outcomes. On the other hand, even men may have restricted access to services due to cultural and time constraints. This collection will provide an avenue to researchers with interest in the intersection between gender and reproductive health access, as well as reproductive health and rights to present their research for maximum visibility. The collection is welcoming contributions such as original research articles using quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method designs, scoping and systematic reviews, policy analyses, case studies, meta-analyses, and commentaries. Contributors are encouraged to present policy-relevant recommendations and points of action for program implementers. Articles and other contributions to the collection should focus on, but are not restricted to the following areas:

Socioeconomic and cultural barriers to reproductive healthcare service access in low-, middle-, and high-income settings: this is to examine the barriers to reproductive healthcare access in a wide variety of contexts.

Gender-specific barriers to reproductive healthcare access: this is to examine the factors that restrict persons, irrespective of gender to reproductive healthcare access.

Reproductive health policy in all contexts: this is to examine policies on reproductive health access from low-, middle-, or high-income countries, investigating how they encourage healthcare access for all population groups, and suggesting changes where necessary for effective service delivery and access.

Reproductive healthcare service delivery models: this is to investigate the workings of current models of reproductive healthcare service delivery, evaluate them, and make recommendations for improvement where necessary.

Intervention programmes on improving service delivery and access for underserved population subgroups: this will be to examine intervention programmes designed to improve service access for previously underserved populations, and to examine their effect, if any, on making reproductive healthcare services more accessible.