The Lasting Impact of Period Poverty
The Monthly Challenge for Menstruating People Worldwide
The world is made up of 8 billion people. 1.8 billion of those people menstruate every month. That comes down to 800 million people menstruating every day. In percentage terms, that is 26% of the global population experiencing monthly period symptoms such as:
Imagine dealing with these symptoms and not having adequate access to, or being able to afford, essential sanitary products. This is the reality for 500 million people.
This is period poverty.
The Need for Period Products
Research shows period poverty, or MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management), can negatively affect women, girls, transgender men, and non-binary people from both poor and wealthy countries. The specifics may differ, but the issue is a global human rights problem.
Safe and hygienic sanitary products are a necessity for all who menstruate. They protect whilst bleeding, can lower infection rates, and ensure those who menstruate can do so with dignity.
In areas where sanitary products are difficult to access and affordability is a concern, such as Cambridge Village in South Africa, the challenges faced by menstruating individuals are significant. Without access to proper menstrual products, many resort to using rags, newspapers, leaves, socks, chicken feathers, and at times even cow dung, as makeshift solutions for collecting menstrual blood.
Even in countries where sanitary products are readily available, financial pressures can lead many to choose between purchasing food or buying essential period supplies. The unfortunate reality is that affordability remains a significant barrier, leaving some menstruating individuals unable to afford the sanitary products they need to manage their periods with dignity and comfort.
Further, in many countries sanitary products still have VAT (value-added tax) added to the final cost, essentially classing them as “luxury items”.
There are a variety of sanitary products on the market, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Sustainably Friendly Reusable Pads — Once bought, they can be used repeatedly and are therefore ideal for communities like Cambridge Village. However, they can retain moisture, which can lead to infections for those living in humid areas.
Menstrual Cup — Another reusable sustainable period product, which can hold more menstrual fluid than a regular tampon. Unfortunately, they require regular sterilising and are only suitable for those with access to clean water.
Disposable Pads and Tampons — These are the most common sanitary products and are ideal for reducing the risk of infection. However, they are not environmentally friendly, and proper waste facilities are required to ensure these products are disposed of effectively and hygienically.
Access to the right products is vital to ensuring good menstrual health.
The Importance of Clean Water and Waste Management
A safe water supply is necessary for MHM to reduce the risk of infections and minimise odours. Access to private, functioning, and hygienic toilets allows the disposal of products discretely and safely. This not only ensures the physical well-being of women and girls but also spares them from the potential embarrassment and shame often associated with menstruation.
One study noted that if schools and workplaces do not provide adequate facilities, women and girls have been known to avoid school and work during their period. This can adversely impact women's education, and their ability to join and commit to the workforce, and hamper their capacity to contribute to economic growth.
The Relationship with Shame
Shame and stigma play a large part in period poverty.
In both high and low-income countries shame and embarrassment, due to periods and a lack of sanitary products, can lead to absenteeism from school and work, avoidance of exercise, and disengagement from social gatherings.
Culture can also encourage the stigma around periods. In some cultures, the perceptions of menstruation are that they are dirty and shameful. Women and girls can be prohibited from physical contact, entering religious spaces, or handling food when menstruating. In some areas, they must isolate for the duration of their menses.
This discrimination leads to extensive societal issues where women and girls do not fully engage in public and social life and therefore have less of a voice, leading to greater inequality.
The Value of Education
Education is crucial in empowering women and girls to better understand and effectively manage their menstrual cycles.
Menstrual education is a worldwide issue. WHO (World Health Organisation) has called for European countries to focus on better facilities and menstrual health education in schools to decrease health risks such as urinary and reproductive tract infections. Elsewhere, a study in Ghana found that stigma and cultural expectations resulted in a lack of access to menstrual education.
Education should not just be for those who have periods, as Dr Natalie Brown stated in a study on menstrual education in the UK:
For those with other more severe gynaecological health issues such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and fibroids, knowledge of the condition and how to manage symptoms would empower women to advocate for themselves and ensure they receive the care they need.
Further, those who have undergone FGM (female genital mutilation), mainly practised in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, are at a higher risk of vaginal infections. More painful periods, difficulty passing blood, and irregular cycles are all problems that can occur due to FGM. A study in Senegal highlighted that those who have undergone FGM do not have adequate knowledge to manage their menstruating needs, specifically minimising pain, discomfort, and infections.
The Role of Exploitation
In some severely impoverished areas, including Cambridge Village, women and girls have been subjected to transactional sex in exchange for period products. This has also been linked to a high rate of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
A study in Sub-Saharan Africa found that those who had transactional sex were 50% more likely to be living with Aids than those who did not.
This alarming statistic underscores the severe consequences faced by individuals forced into transactional sex due to period poverty. The lack of access to affordable menstrual products pushes them into situations of vulnerability where their basic needs become entwined with their sexual health. This vicious cycle further perpetuates the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and experiencing unintended pregnancies, amplifying the already profound challenges faced by these marginalised communities.
Limited access to sexual education and comprehensive reproductive health services further exacerbates the situation, leaving individuals ill-equipped to protect themselves and make informed choices.
The Effects on Mental Health
Period poverty not only takes a toll on physical health but also significantly impacts mental well-being, with anxiety and depression emerging as prevalent psychological consequences.
Numerous studies, including a study conducted in the United States, have revealed a clear link between period poverty and an increased risk of mental health disorders, particularly depression.
These findings highlight the detrimental impact that the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products can have on a person's mental health, exacerbating feelings of hopelessness, distress, and sadness.
The financial strain and hardship associated with acquiring menstrual products on a regular basis can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. The constant worry about affording basic necessities, coupled with the social stigma surrounding menstruation, can contribute to a sense of powerlessness and isolation, increasing depressive symptoms.
The Path to Eradication
Period poverty is prevalent in many societies worldwide. However, companies, organisations, and charities are working in different capacities to eradicate it by providing access to clean water, campaigning for tax-free products, and supplying suitable sanitary products.
This is why The Dandelion Philosophy has partnered with D.A.R.E, an organisation that works to provide menstrual health education and sanitary products to people living in impoverished communities, like Cambridge Village, to educate and empower 10 to 15-year-old girls.
Period poverty is an issue that impacts us all, be it directly or indirectly, and is an issue that we must strive to defeat. Expanding awareness of period poverty and its effects on menstruating individuals worldwide can be the catalyst for individuals, companies, and governments to take a stand, offer support, and make a difference.
Together, we can work towards achieving greater equality and alleviating the burdens of stress, shame, and suffering inflicted by period poverty. Let us unite in this crucial endeavour and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.
For more information on how period poverty is being tackled in South Africa visit D.A.R.E’s website here.
