Over decades of influential movements, some global issues continue to haunt us, including period poverty. Period poverty[1] is women and girls’ lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and suitable sanitation facilities, typically because of financial and educational limitations. This problem usually affects low-income societies, which see individuals utilizing unhygienic or inefficient replacements for tampons, pads, and menstrual cups.
This negatively impacts individuals who menstruate, including affecting girls’ overall education. Frequently, girls miss school because of their period. Furthermore, the taboo plaguing periods can put girls’ emotional well-being at risk, with many individuals being embarrassed by menstruation and reluctant to reach out for help. But this problem isn’t just about periods: menstruation unveils a much more critical issue concerning human rights[2].
Over decades of influential movements, some global issues continue to haunt us, including period poverty. Period poverty[1] is women and girls’ lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and suitable sanitation facilities, typically because of financial and educational limitations. This problem usually affects low-income societies, which see individuals utilizing unhygienic or inefficient replacements for tampons, pads, and menstrual cups.
This negatively impacts individuals who menstruate, including affecting girls’ overall education. Frequently, girls miss school because of their period. Furthermore, the taboo plaguing periods can put girls’ emotional well-being at risk, with many individuals being embarrassed by menstruation and reluctant to reach out for help. But this problem isn’t just about periods: menstruation unveils a much more critical issue concerning human rights[2].
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
One of the UN’s renowned Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 5[3], was established in 2015 to achieve gender equality. The UN has constantly strived to empower all women and girls by attempting to develop solid policies and enforceable legislation regarding gender equality, which ties to menstruation. After all, aside from education, period poverty can impact a woman’s right to work if she cannot manage menstruation hygienically or access the medication she requires to tackle disorders or pain associated with menstruation. This could lead to limited job opportunities, by which women may have to sacrifice wages, working hours, and specific roles[4].
Furthermore, lack of facilities may also lead women and girls to make other sacrifices, including factors concerning their social life, physical health, and mental health. Therefore, it is critical for the UN to continue promoting gender equality. Open conversations about menstruation can raise awareness—both women and men need to be aware of this issue for it to be adequately tackled.
How Can We Address Period Poverty?
There are many ways in which governments, educators, legislators, and other bodies can help alleviate global inequalities and stigmas around period poverty.
Government bodies are sometimes tasked with ending period poverty around the world. Their job is to round up manufacturers, the retail sector, and charities to discover ways to help those suffering from period poverty and raise awareness of the issue. Raising awareness and taking action in this way can reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation. Passing legislation can help ensure that individuals can access affordable or free menstrual hygiene products and facilities. For example, governments could decrease taxes on these items[5].
Furthermore, governments and educators can attempt to address education issues. Education can help break down the stigma and embarrassment about menstruation in individuals from an early age. Normalizing discussions about periods in an educational setting can help shape children’s attitudes, and help them understand that it is okay to talk about them. Increasing numbers of schools, colleges, and universities that place free period products in bathrooms[6] to ensure that students can access products when required—whether this is because they cannot afford them, forgot to bring some, or started their period unexpectedly.
Charities and small groups all around the globe work hard to contribute to tackling period poverty. Some organization’s campaign against period poverty to raise awareness of the issue across societies. Furthermore, many charities provide free-of-charge period products for individuals in local areas so that they have access to safe and hygienic ways of menstruating.
Key Takeaways
- Period poverty is still a prominent human rights issue and can impact women’s education and work—we have a social responsibility to break down this issue.
- Period poverty has been a significant topic of discussion over the past few years—and raising further awareness can help lead to greater global equality.
- There are many ways to help reduce period poverty, such as donating, educating yourself or others, and selecting sustainable product brands that support eliminating period poverty.
