What Are the Causes of Period Poverty and How Can We Solve It?
Period poverty is a global health and human rights issue that affects millions of menstruators worldwide. It refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, education, or proper waste disposal systems during menstruation. While it’s most prevalent in low-income communities and developing nations, period poverty is also a silent crisis in wealthier countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
This article explores the root causes of period poverty, its impact on individuals and communities, and actionable solutions that can help break the stigma and promote menstrual equity for all.
What Is Period Poverty?
Period poverty goes beyond the inability to afford sanitary pads or tampons. It includes:
- Lack of access to clean water and sanitation
- Limited menstrual health education
- Social stigma and taboos around menstruation
- Inadequate healthcare support for menstrual disorders
- Absence of safe and private facilities in schools and workplaces
For many menstruators, this results in missed school days, reduced participation in work and social activities, and long-term impacts on health, education, and self-worth.
Causes of Period Poverty
1. Financial Barriers
Menstrual products like sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups can be expensive, especially for individuals living below the poverty line. In many countries, menstrual products are still taxed as luxury goods, which further increases their unaffordability.
2. Inadequate Menstrual Education
In both developed and developing countries, there is a lack of proper education about menstruation. Many girls receive incomplete or inaccurate information, often perpetuating myths and fears. This lack of knowledge can lead to shame, improper hygiene practices, and increased health risks.
3. Social and Cultural Taboos
In many cultures, menstruation is viewed as dirty, shameful, or something to be hidden. These taboos can prevent open discussion, policy reform, and proper education. Girls may be banned from kitchens, temples, or schools while menstruating, further isolating them.
4. Lack of Access to Clean Water and Sanitation
Clean water and private toilets are essential for maintaining menstrual hygiene. In many rural areas and urban slums, girls are forced to manage their periods in unsafe or unsanitary environments, increasing the risk of infections and absenteeism from school or work.
5. Governmental Neglect and Policy Gaps
Period poverty is often overlooked in public policy. The absence of menstrual health in health and education frameworks leads to a lack of funding, data collection, and targeted interventions.
How Period Poverty Affects Lives
The consequences of period poverty are far-reaching and include:
- Education: Girls may skip school or drop out entirely due to embarrassment or lack of menstrual supplies.
- Health: Using unsafe materials like rags or newspaper can lead to infections and long-term reproductive issues.
- Mental Health: Shame and social exclusion can trigger anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression.
- Economic Disempowerment: Missing work regularly due to menstruation can limit financial independence and economic mobility.
Solutions to End Period Poverty
1. Make Menstrual Products Free or Tax-Exempt
Governments should eliminate the “tampon tax” and provide free menstrual products in public places such as schools, shelters, prisons, and hospitals. Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all—a model others should follow.
2. Comprehensive Menstrual Education
Include accurate and age-appropriate menstrual health education in school curricula. Education should be inclusive of all genders to reduce stigma and promote empathy.
3. Invest in Infrastructure
Improve access to clean toilets, handwashing facilities, and waste disposal in schools and communities. Girls must have private, safe, and hygienic spaces to manage their periods.
4. Promote Reusable Products
Menstrual cups, cloth pads, and period underwear offer cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives. Governments and NGOs can distribute these while providing training on proper use and care.
5. Break the Stigma Through Media Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns can normalise menstruation and challenge harmful cultural norms. Celebrities, influencers, and educators play a key role in shaping public discourse.
6. Community Involvement and Grassroots Movements
Local NGOs, women’s groups, and youth activists are leading the fight against period poverty. Supporting their work with funding and visibility is crucial to driving change from the ground up.
Examples from Around the World
- Scotland: Became the first nation to legally guarantee free period products for all in 2020.
- India: Government-run schemes like the “Suvidha” programme provide low-cost sanitary pads in rural areas.
- Kenya: Was one of the first African nations to eliminate taxes on menstrual products.
- United States: Several states like California and New York now require free products in public schools.
Internal Links
- Understanding Menstrual Hygiene and Its Importance
- How to Choose the Right Menstrual Products
- Beauty in the Mirror: Breaking Free from Unrealistic Standards
FAQs
What is period poverty?
Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene education, and safe sanitation facilities during menstruation.
How many people are affected by period poverty?
Globally, it affects hundreds of millions. In the US alone, 1 in 5 girls has missed school due to a lack of menstrual products.
Why is period poverty a problem?
It leads to health risks, missed educational opportunities, and reinforces gender inequality and social exclusion.
What is being done to fight period poverty?
Initiatives include government subsidies, education reform, awareness campaigns, and distribution of free or low-cost products.
How can I help end period poverty?
Support organisations working on menstrual health, advocate for policy changes, donate products, and educate your community.
Conclusion
Period poverty is not just about menstruation—it’s about equity, dignity, and access to basic human rights. Solving it requires a combined effort from governments, communities, corporations, and individuals. When we ensure that menstruators can manage their periods safely and with dignity, we create a world that values health, education, and equality for all.
It’s time to break the silence. Period.