WHAT
Period poverty does not only refer to the lack of access to menstrual products. It also refers to limited education and awareness to manage menstrual health, social and cultural stigma, insufficient access to sanitation facilities.
FACTS
Period poverty is a global health issue that affect women and girls in both rich and poor countries.
- France – 1.7 million women experience period poverty
- Germany – 1 in 10 girls has experienced period poverty
- UK – 3 in 10 girls struggle to afford or access menstrual products
- US – 1 in 4 teens has missed class due to lack of access to period products
- India – Only 36% of women use sanitary napkins, with many resorting to unhygienic alternatives like rags, ashes, or husk sand
- Japan – 30% of young women reported being embarrassed and hesitated to buy sanitary products
- Bangladesh & Egypt – only 32 per cent and 66 per cent of girls, respectively, said they were aware of menstruation before they got their first period, many were shocked and afraid.
- Ghana – women on a minimum wage have to spend 13% of their monthly income on sanitary pads
- South Africa – 30% of girls miss school due to period poverty.
CAUSES
High cost of menstrual products, no access to period supplies, no basic sanitation services (water, private toilets), lack of comprehensive menstrual education and empathy towards the people who menstruate, harmful social and cultural norms around period.
Food for thoughts: The pink-tax
Definition: a tax or other cost added to the price of a product or service that is particularly aimed at or used by women, especially as compared to similar products for men.
Surprisingly, menstrual products are often not considered necessities products and thus are not subject to a reduced tax rate or exemption. Check-out the interactive world map menstrual products taxes: Map I Periodtax.org
Closing thoughts?
Ending period poverty is a critical step in the world’s development – it can improve the health, education, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls, and promote gender equality and human rights.
Pads on a roll – a great project to discover!
