It’s Time to Talk About Period Poverty and Menstrual Equity

Lydia Kifle

Menstruation is a natural biological function where the uterus sheds its lining approximately once a month. According to The World Bank, every day around 800 people menstruate; however, not all of these people are able to menstruate safely, hygienically and with dignity ("Periods Don't Stop for Pandemics – Neither Will Our Efforts to Bring Safe Menstrual Hygiene to Women and Girls"). We need menstrual equity in order to help those experiencing period poverty.

What is period poverty? 

In the Global Citizen article Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know, period poverty is defined as “the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand washing facilities and/or waste management” (Sanchez & Rodriguez). A big part of vaginal and menstrual health is maintaining good hygiene since poor menstrual hygiene can lead to “physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections'' (Sanchez & Rodriguez). Many people around the world do not have the resources to keep up good hygienic practices: “Globally, 2.3 billion people live without basic sanitation services and in developing countries, only 27% of people have adequate hand washing facilities at home” (Sanchez & Rodriguez). On top of not having access to proper sanitation services, many do not have the means to purchase necessary menstrual products. In Canada, period products are available at any grocery, pharmacy or superstore unfortunately at prices that are too steep for many. However, this is not the case in every country, especially countries where the culture looks down on menstruation. For example, in Nepal, people who menstruate are seen as “impure by their community and banished to huts during their cycles'' (Sanchez & Rodriguez). This kind of shame can have long-lasting effects on the well-being and mental health of individuals.

What is menstrual equity and why is it so important? 

Menstrual equity aims to make safe period products affordable and accessible to all while ensuring that all menstruators' needs are heard and choices regarding menstrual health are provided. To achieve menstrual equity, period poverty must be acknowledged and fought against while education about periods needs to be provided. Everyone should know what a period is, how it occurs and why it occurs as it is a natural bodily function. It is also important to note that not all women menstruate and not all menstruators are women. Education is always the first step in solving a problem and from there we can work to make period products accessible to all in the same way that toilet paper is accessible in every public bathroom.

It is our responsibility to educate ourselves about menstruation and period poverty. Together we can ensure that all menstruators have the resources and support that they need.

References

“Periods Don't Stop for Pandemics – Neither Will Our Efforts to Bring Safe Menstrual Hygiene to Women and Girls.” The World Bank, 28 May 2020, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/05/28/menstrual-hygiene-day-2020.

Sanchez, Erica, and Leah Rodriguez. “Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know.” Global Citizen, 5 Feb. 2019, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/.