What is Period poverty
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand washing facilities, and, or, waste management.
1 in 5 Americans miss school or work because of their period.
Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue. Globally, 2.3 million people live without basic sanitation services and in developing countries, only 27% of people have adequate hand washing facilities at home, according to UNICEF. Not being able to use these facilities makes it harder for adults and young people to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
People with special needs and disabilities disproportionately do not have access to the facilities and resources they need for proper menstrual hygiene. Living in conflict-affected areas, or in the aftermath of natural disasters, also makes it more difficult for people to manage their periods.
People who menstruate are ostracized from basic activities, like eating certain foods, or socializing, all over the world. The cultural shame attached to menstruation and a shortage of resources stop people from going to school and/or working every day.
Young boys benefit from menstrual hygiene education, too. Educating youth on menstruation at an early age at home and school promotes healthy habits and breaks stigmas around the natural process. Achieving menstrual equity means access to sanitary products, proper toilets, hand washing facilities, sanitation and hygiene education, and waste management for people around the world all.
What are the main causes?
Menstruation is stigmatized around the world. In Nepal, for example, menstruating women are seen as impure by their community and banished to huts during their cycles. While menstrual huts are technically illegal, families continue taking the risk because myths and misconceptions are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture. The non-governmental agency WoMena conducted a study in Uganda and found many girls skipped school while on their period to avoid teasing by classmates.
Poor menstrual hygiene can cause physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections, according to UNICEF.
It also stops people from reaching their full potential when they miss out on opportunities crucial to their growth. Young people who do not receive an education are more likely to enter child marriages and experience an early pregnancy, malnourishment, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications as a result.
Currently
1 in 5 Americans miss school or work because of their period.
Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue. Globally, 2.3 million people live without basic sanitation services and in developing countries, only 27% of people have adequate hand washing facilities at home, according to UNICEF. Not being able to use these facilities makes it harder for adults and young people to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
People with special needs and disabilities disproportionately do not have access to the facilities and resources they need for proper menstrual hygiene. Living in conflict-affected areas, or in the aftermath of natural disasters, also makes it more difficult for people to manage their periods.
People who menstruate are ostracized from basic activities, like eating certain foods, or socializing, all over the world. The cultural shame attached to menstruation and a shortage of resources stop people from going to school and/or working every day.
Young boys benefit from menstrual hygiene education, too. Educating youth on menstruation at an early age at home and school promotes healthy habits and breaks stigmas around the natural process. Achieving menstrual equity means access to sanitary products, proper toilets, hand washing facilities, sanitation and hygiene education, and waste management for people around the world all.
What are the main causes?
Menstruation is stigmatized around the world. In Nepal, for example, menstruating women are seen as impure by their community and banished to huts during their cycles. While menstrual huts are technically illegal, families continue taking the risk because myths and misconceptions are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture. The non-governmental agency WoMena conducted a study in Uganda and found many girls skipped school while on their period to avoid teasing by classmates.
Poor menstrual hygiene can cause physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections, according to UNICEF.
It also stops people from reaching their full potential when they miss out on opportunities crucial to their growth. Young people who do not receive an education are more likely to enter child marriages and experience an early pregnancy, malnourishment, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications as a result.
Currently
- 30 US States still have a sales tax on period products considering them non-essential items.
- 1 in 4 people who bleed struggle to afford period products due to a lack of income.
- 46% of low-income menstruators had to choose between a meal and period products.
- Because of the period stigma that makes menstruation a taboo topic, we don’t often think about what it’s like for a homeless or low-income menstruator to get their period, and don’t have open conversations about period health or solutions to period poverty.
- Most of the data collected does not include trans, nonbionary, non-gender conforming or incarcerated people.
- Not all women bleed and not everyone who bleeds is a woman.
- The possibility of a violent altercation occurring to a transman who start their period in a public men's room greatly increases.
- Access to sanitation, early education and pads and tampons is KEY in changing these gender biased practices!
- You can not hope to solve one problem while perpetuating another. We must insure organic, biodegradable solutions are implemented in any laws or solutions we create moving forward.
- "Close to 20 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into North American landfills every year. When wrapped in plastic bags, feminine hygiene waste can take centuries to biodegrade. The average woman uses over 11,000 tampons over her lifetime, leaving behind residue far beyond her lifespan."
- In 2015 H.R.1882 - Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2019 "To increase the availability and affordability of menstrual hygiene products for individuals with limited access, and for other purposes." was drafted by Rep. Meng from NY and sent before the house in 2019. It was then sent before the subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security where it has been since its introduction.
- It has only a 3% chance of passing.
Read more by clicking the links.
Period Poverty by, Global Citizen
Environmental Impact of Menstruation Supplies
Period Poverty by, Global Citizen
Environmental Impact of Menstruation Supplies