#bleedwithdignity
Period poverty refers to the social, economic, political, and cultural barriers to menstrual products, education, and sanitation.
Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these. It affects an estimated 500 million women worldwide.
People who experience period poverty are unable to purchase the menstrual products they need, and, in many cases, this means that they cannot go to school or work or otherwise participate in daily life.
Period poverty causes physical, mental, and emotional challenges. It can make people feel shame for menstruating, and the stigma surrounding periods prevents individuals from talking about it.
Although period poverty is a widespread problem, there is a lack of research on the topic. In 2019, experts from academic institutions, NGOs, governments, UN organizations, and elsewhere came together to form the Global Menstrual Collective to solve this issue.
●The Global Menstrual Collective defines menstrual health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in relation to the menstrual cycle.”
It notes that people should have:
◇access to information about menstruation, life changes, and hygiene practices
◇the ability to care for themselves during menstruation
◇access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services
◇the ability to receive a diagnosis for menstrual cycle disorders and access to healthcare
◇a positive, supportive environment in which to make informed decisions
◇the ability to participate in all aspects of life, such as going to work and school.
How period poverty affects people
Period poverty can affect people in a variety of ways. It can make them feel embarrassed about or ashamed of their periods, and it causes young people to miss out on school due to a lack of menstrual products.
Mental health and well-being
☆Being unable to manage their period with the appropriate menstrual products can make people feel upset, distressed, and uncomfortable. Research has found that a lack of access to these products can negatively affect someone’s mental health.
☆For instance, a studyTrusted Source of college-attending women found that 68.1% of participants who experienced period poverty had symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression. They also had higher rates of depression than the participants who did not experience period poverty.
☆☆However, it is important to note that in populations with high income inequality, having a low income is associated with higher ratesTrusted Source of depression. Many people living in period poverty also fall into this group. Therefore, although people who cannot access menstrual products may have higher rates of depression, it is not possible to conclude that period poverty directly causes the depression.
Health and hygiene
♡People unable to access menstrual products have reportedTrusted Source using rags, toilet paper, and children’s diapers and here in Zimbabwe there has been cases of girls and young women using cow dung. Some people have also used the menstrual products they did have for longer than intended.
♡Using these alternative products puts individuals at higher risk of urogenital infections, which are infections of the urinary and genital systems. These infections include urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.
♡Using products longer than intended can also be dangerous. Leaving a tampon in for too long can increase a person’s risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare but dangerous infection.
Education
-People who menstruate can have a negative experience of school or college if they are uncomfortable, distracted, or unable to participate due to menstrual leakage and odor.
-This experience can have long-term consequences. Poor school attendance affects a person’s future earning potential, self-esteem, health outcomes, and sense of control.
How can we end period poverty?
Period poverty is a global public health crisis requiring serious attention. Some ways in which people can combat period poverty include:
♡National advocacy: Menstruators need the support of their governments to provide adequate infrastructure and access to affordable menstrual products.
♡Increased education and knowledge sharing: Knowledge sharing between organizations, in communities, and in schools can include menstruators in the conversation and provide education without stigma.
♡The private sector: Businesses can provide information and access to facilities and products, contribute to destigmatizing menstruation, and integrate menstruation management into their policies.
♡Evidence-informed charitable programs: Programs can educate menstruators, provide necessary products, and support people and their communities.
♡Further research: More research is necessary on the effects of period poverty and how to combat it.
♡Legislation: Protective legislation can ensure affordable access to proper facilities and menstrual hygiene products. Governments can also reduce taxes on menstrual products, making them more affordable.
By Tanatsiwa Ntandoyami Chikove (LEMHster)