Period Poverty

Period poverty affects those who menstruate all around the world. Period poverty is a lack of access to sanitary products and a safe and hygienic place in which to use them. This poses a potential health risk of infection to individuals. It affects their education, work and income. Period poverty can be caused by a large number of reasons. For example financial constraints, lack of access, taboos and humanitarian disasters

Humanitarian Disasters

During humanitarian disasters, women cannot manage their periods safely and with dignity. This is caused by lack of access to products and a safe place to use them. One of the most requested products during a crisis, alongside essential food, shelter and water, is sanitary products. Women are forced to use unhygienic, uncomfortable and undignified methods to manage their periods instead. Such as using torn clothes, rags and dirty rugs. This can lead to infections and can stain clothing. Leading to feelings of social isolation and embarrassment during an already devastating time.

Periods and women’s education

Some women have no access to period products or a bathroom at school. This forces them to stay at home during their period. This delays and leaves gaps in their education. Some women are forced to drop out of school. Resulting in them having less control of their life. It is estimated that 1 in 10 girls in Africa have to miss school when they have their period. In Rwanda, women report missing up to 50 days of school or work per year due to their period poverty and stigma. In Ethiopia, a study found that 50% of women miss between 1 and 4 days of school per month due to their period. Education is essential for these women and missing out reduces the options they have for their future.

In the UK

Period poverty is a very prevalent issue within the UK. Groups such as refugees, those who are homeless or individuals suffering low income employment, often find themselves unable to access sanitary products. Estimates reveal that up to 137,00 children across the UK could live in period poverty. Studies conducted show that 10% of girls in the UK have been unable to afford period products; 15% have struggled to afford them; and 19% have changed to a less suitable product due to cost. These results show that for women across the country, period poverty is a pressing issue. As well as this, with rising numbers of individuals being classed as homeless in the UK, period poverty is increasing. These individuals deserve access sanitary products in order to maintain their health and dignity.

Pandemic

During the rise of the COVID 19 pandemic, lots of people have found themselves without sanitary products due to macro and micro economic crashes. Many people have lost their jobs, income and even houses. This places a huge strain on their personal finances, causing sanitary products to become unaffordable. During the pandemic, people’s reliance on resources such as food banks has increased. Food banks dispense toiletries such as sanitary products, people’s increased dependence on these services indicates an increase in period poverty. Some individuals rely on free products provided at work or school. Due to restrictions during the pandemic, they were unable to access this support. Issues such as women’s health are often overlooked during times of hardship, but the struggle these individuals face does not disappear.

Refugees

Period poverty has a huge effect on those seeking refuge in other countries. Those who menstruate find the journey to a safe location harder than those who don’t due to the lack of access to sanitary items. Refugees fleeing their country have reported using torn clothes and even leaves when faced with their period during their journey. Actions done in desperation such as this can lead to infections and health implications. This adds further difficulty to an already horrific situation

Taboo/Stigma

There are varying levels of taboo and stigma surrounding periods around the world. Chhaupadi is an ancient period shaming practice in Nepal. It was outlawed in 2005 but is still practiced in remote parts of the country. The practice banishes women to a mud hut or shed during their period or even longer. It is believed they will bring ill health, bad luck or failing crops upon their family if this practice is not followed. Women are often left without cleaning facilities or hygiene products during this time. This often leads to health issues coupled with the psychological effects of this shaming practice. In Nepal, women are still expected to sleep separately from their family when experiencing their period. During situations such as a humanitarian crisis, people are found sharing tents with strangers where this is not possible. The lack of access to sanitary products only compounds this issue of not being able to distance from others. Leaving these individuals socially isolated.

In some regions, periods are so taboo that they are not talked about, causing the first period to be traumatic. A lack of conversation and education leads to myths surrounding periods to gain traction. This shows education is also required in order to ensure these individuals are not left without resources in order to handle their period with dignity.

Solutions

But how can period poverty be overcome?

Single use products are expensive as well as harmful to the environment. A pack of sanitary products can cost up to a whole day’s salary in Malawi. Most people who menstruate need around two packs per period, this would mean two full days of pay on sanitary pads alone. The cost also compounds whereas reusable products are usable for years, in the long run, costing less. Emphasis should be put on educating communities on how to make reusable sanitary products such as cloth pads. Training local women in how to make reusable sanitary pads allows them to sell them in markets to other women for an affordable price. This also provides these women their own income.

Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years and can be sterilised with boiling water. Making them a great option for many women. Many charities regularly distribute cups and educate women on how to safely use them. However, the cups are not considered appropriate in many cultures. This is further evidence that different approaches need to be used in different regions and situations. For example, emphasis should be placed on providing sanitary products in aid packages during humanitarian disasters. However, during such disasters, there is often no access to washing facilities. Here, single use products are the most viable option over reusable products. In countries such as Nigeria, Lebanon, India and Jamaica, they have lowered or scrapped taxes on period products. This increases their affordability to the population, aiding to reduce period poverty. In 2020 Scotland became the first country in the world to make sanitary products free to anyone who needs them through the Period Products Free Provision Bill. This is a groundbreaking bill which I hope other countries will be inspired by.