Tag Archive for: Period Poverty

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Making Space for Menstruation: Key to Girls’ Participation in School

Girls’ Participation in SchoolFor many girls and women, their first period is often accompanied by feelings of embarrassment, fear and even shame—emotions that are vividly remembered. These feelings, however, don’t fade with time but instead, continue to shape their experience of menstruation. The advent of this first period then, a moment supposedly marking the onset of womanhood, quickly becomes a monthly obstacle to education for many girls and women globally who must navigate a context in which their periods are shamed. To increase girls’ participation in school, addressing menstruation and dismantling the taboo surrounding it has to become part of the educational system. This is the focus of the Paris School of Economics (PSE) research project in Madagascar. The research aims to create space for menstruation in education and foster an environment where it is no longer stigmatized.

Periods as an Obstacle to Education

In Bangladesh, 32% of girls were unaware of what menstruation was before they got their first period. One in five girls in rural Ethiopia has no access to materials to manage their menstruation. With 1.5 billion people lacking basic sanitation facilities, many women and girls do not have a private space to menstruate. As a result of the period taboo, period poverty and the lack of hygiene facilities, many girls see their periods not as “a natural and healthy process” but as a significant interruption to everyday life. This interruption is felt most fully in the context of school.

Take the mundane and everyday experience of leaking. Accidental leaking is made all the more likely for girls in developing countries as a result of reduced access to materials to manage menstruation and extended journeys to school. The lack of sanitation and clean water facilities limits girls’ ability to deal with leaking in privacy. Finally, often left without support from family or teachers, girls can be subjected to ridicule from peers. It is clear to see how periods may dissuade girls from attending school. One in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when menstruating: 3-5 days every month of lost schooling.

In Madagascar, menstruation has been aptly identified as a lead cause of absenteeism for girls. In some cases, menstruation is also a catalyst for them dropping out altogether. This not only limits their future economic opportunities, drawing them away from the productive labor market, but also increases their risks of child marriage and pregnancy.

Talking Periods: Peer-To-Peer Conversation

Funded by the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), the PSE is pursuing a research project with periods in mind: the “Young Girls Leaders” program. Its research goal is to determine whether promoting healthy and productive discussions between girls to reduce the stigma around menstruation at the forefront can increase girls’ participation in school. The program is being run in three districts in Amoron’i Mania, Madagascar. Between three and six girls will be chosen and educated in menstrual management. The girls will be encouraged to converse with their female peers without the discomfort that often accompanies these exchanges.

To determine the benefits of the Young Girls Leaders program, 70 schools will receive both the U.N. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention and the Young Girls Leaders program. An additional 35 schools will only receive the WASH program. In comparison, another 35 schools will serve as a control group, receiving neither intervention. The research program predicts that healthy conversations surrounding periods will cause a “social norm shift.” Furthermore, when used with the WASH intervention, significantly increases the likelihood of girls staying in schools during their menstrual cycles.

Conclusion

The research conducted by the PSE is not focused on the direct implementation of long-term programs to address period poverty. Instead, it aims to produce evidence that can be used to develop broader, large-scale interventions globally, ensuring that girls remain in school while menstruating. By supporting this research, the FID highlights the importance of international funding in driving innovation with a development-centered outlook.

– Tilly Phillips

Tilly is based in Surrey, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Period Poverty in Kenya with Reusable Sanitary Products

Period Poverty in KenyaEvery month, around 2 billion people across the planet menstruate. Although periods are a natural and healthy bodily function, they interrupt the lives, freedoms and rights of millions around the world because these individuals cannot afford or access menstrual products or proper sanitation and hygiene facilities and lack education and awareness to manage their menstrual health hygiene a possibility. This is a period poverty.

Period Poverty In Kenya

In Kenya, 65% of women and girls cannot afford the basic sanitary necessities that they need to manage their periods. This means that they regularly have to miss work and school due to period poverty. Missing work can threaten a woman’s career and losing income means that an individual has less money to spend on their period in general. Missed school days can cause young girls to drop out of education earlier, putting their future in jeopardy.

When women and girls lose their access to education, they lose out on both “life-long opportunities for employment” and their chance to “reach their fullest potential,” according to the U.N. Women. For many young girls, this also means being forced into child marriages, sexual abuse and even mutilation as their period is seen as a “coming of age.”

According to Amref Health Africa, two-thirds of sanitary pad users in Rural Kenya receive them from sexual partners. In addition, a quarter of girls in the country do not associate menstruation with pregnancy, highlighting how a lack of education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene poses fundamental risks to individuals everywhere.

The U.N. Women warns that girls involved in these transactional sex arrangements to pay for their menstrual products have a dramatically increased chance of an HIV infection.

AHADI Reusable Pads

The word AHADI means promise in Kiswahili and this brand promises that “women and girls will fulfill their destiny by maximizing their potential through education.” The organization aims to combat period poverty in Kenya by improving access to affordable sanitation products.

Bethsheba Otuga is the founder of AHADI Reusable Pads. The pads are made of cloth and can be washed up to 24 times. Otuga states that this means the user can be secure in their period for two years. Making the pads reusable means that they are also more affordable – packs of four sell for about $4 – for those living in poverty.

AHADI’s mission statement is to produce cost-effective reusable pads that “will increase women’s and girls’ self-esteem and dignity because of increased comfort and hygiene levels” during their period, according to its website.

Ending the stigma around periods is a huge first step towards ending period poverty in Kenya and around the world. Only 50% of girls in Kenya say that they can openly discuss menstruation at home, and just 12% stated that they would feel comfortable receiving information about their period from their mother, according to Amref Health Africa.

The reusable pads that AHADI produces aim to increase women’s dignity by increasing hygiene levels and allowing them to continue their normal daily activities without worrying about leaking through their clothes. The organization aims to give women and girls the assurance that they will not be embarrassed because they cannot afford production during their period.

Looking Forward

AHADI has produced more than 1,000 packs of pads (each containing four pads) within the last year, all of which the organization has sold and distributed across Nairobi, Kenya. Each of these 1000 packs has impacted a girl’s life across several schools, the most recent of which is the distribution of 120 packs of reusable pads to Seeds of Hope Educational Centre in Kibera, according to AHADI’s website.

Bethsheba Otuga and AHADI are working to end the stigma and period poverty in Kenya. Ending stigma is the first step to making real changes that could drastically change the lives of women and girls living all across the country.

Ensuring easy and affordable access to sanitary products for anyone who may need them at any time means supporting all to reach their fullest potential at all points during the month and throughout their lives.

– Kristina Grant

Kristina is based in Scotland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Action Against Period Poverty

Action Against Period PovertyA period is a natural part of any person with female anatomy’s life. It can be a constant financial burden for some since every month, a woman needs pads, tampons or other menstrual products. According to research done by PlushCare, a month’s supply of period products costs $7.30 in South Africa. While South Africa is not the most expensive, for those who experience a period but live in poverty, getting the necessary menstrual products can be difficult.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, 62.7% of impoverished women live in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. For those women living in poverty, having something every month that costs money and time can impact their lives greatly. Finding menstrual products for these women is a big struggle. However, Tamara Magwashu is working to make that struggle easier.

Magwashu War Against Period Poverty

Magwashu has been dealing with period poverty since she was a little girl growing up in the Eastern Cape province. When she was a little girl, Magwashu would have to take a week off of school when she had her period because she only had old rags to use. This means that Magwashu lost 12 weeks of education every year, missing out on potentially crucial parts of her education.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 30% of girls in South Africa did not attend school during their period. Growing up in poverty, Magwashu didn’t have full access to proper sanitary menstrual products and had to work to provide for herself and her family. Part of her income was put aside to buy sanitary pads rather than use the old rags. As time went on, Magwashu continued to work and eventually got a public relations degree from the University of Johannesburg.

Magwashu realized there was an issue involving young girls and access to period products. So, she decided to take action against period poverty and start a business focused on this issue. She faced many problems when trying to start this business, such as no bank wanting to give her a loan because she had no assets. Still, Magwashu persevered and launched Azosule in 2021. Azosule’s goal is to sell period products at an affordable price for those who need them and live in poverty.

Since starting the business, Magwashu has brought period products to many schools in her home area, providing products to last them six months. She works to expand her business to other schools and educate everyone on the reality of periods for impoverished women. Magwashu stated to BBC in 2023 that “Period poverty is not a women’s issue, it’s a societal issue.”

How Caity Cutter Was Inspired

Magwashu’s influence did not just end there; she inspired other young girls and women to take action against period poverty. Caity Cutter is one of those girls and, at just 12 years old, helped make a change in this societal issue. Cutter, who lives in Germany, was moved when she found out about period poverty in other countries. After reading about Magwashu, Cutter decided to do something to help. The young girl told her father about the issue and asked how they could help.

Her influence on her father pushed him to donate to Magwashu’s company. Michael Cutter saved up money from his job and made an overwhelming donation of 500,000 pads. Along with that, Magwashu stated that he made “further donations that went to us getting a warehouse and hiring staff to distribute the pads further.” This donation not only helps Azosule but also helps these young girls not have to miss school just because of their period.

– Tess Curran

Tess is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Experiencing Period Poverty in gaza

Period Poverty In gazaSince the events of October 7, Israel has tightened its grip on the Gaza Strip. It has made it increasingly difficult for aid to enter the territory. Israel’s blockade has, therefore, left many pharmacy and shop shelves barren. One product in particular has become increasingly sparse on the shelves of various pharmacies across Gaza: menstruation pads. On the rare occasion that pads make their way on a shelf, they are sold at nearly five to six times their original price. For many unemployed and homeless Gazan women, such an expense is unthinkable. This, combined with limited water supply, lack of privacy and indoor plumbing, has compelled women to take measures into their own hands. As the rate of period poverty continues to mount within the Gaza Strip, its female residents prove that there is no shortage of resilience and ingenuity.

Period Poverty among Women and Girls in Gaza

In a study conducted by the United Nations (U.N.), an estimated total of 700,000 Gazan women and girls menstruate but do not have access to hygiene products, such as pads and toilet paper. Even more troubling is their barred access to toilets and running water. Various shelters run by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the U.N. aid agency for Palestinians, say there is only one roll of toilet paper per 498 people. Within these same shelters, more than 400 residents share a single bathroom.

The situation is no better for women who live in shared apartment complexes with extended family. Limited access to water forces many to restrict the times they flush the toilet– only doing so when deemed necessary. Three functioning water pipelines remain for the whole of Gaza, thus making it increasingly difficult for women to wash themselves. Showering has become a luxury only some women can afford. Many women rise early and queue in front of hospitals in the hopes of showering before the water supply is cut for that day. Others are there to use the bathroom. Queues can number from up to 1,000 people.

Current Experiences

Owda is a Gazan woman documenting her experience online. She shared a video of one of many makeshift bathrooms found within the displacement camps. She points to the toilet in question, a garbage basket on the ground inside a meager tent and says to the camera: “There is no water. There is nothing around them. There is no infrastructure. They’re living in just a tent and they need bathroom(s). They’re humans.” The U.N. indicates that these sanitary conditions leave many Gazan women at risk of contracting reproductive and urinary tract infections. The sanitary pads that are at the disposal of Gazan women are poorly crafted and only further increase their risk of infection.

Gazan women and girls, therefore, are no longer afforded any privacy in tending to their menstrual hygiene. This issue has put a strain on the psychological health of many women within the strip. Some women share that the mounting stress they are experiencing has caused their menstrual cycles to come twice a month, further exacerbating the issue. As political tensions continue to rise, period poverty within the Gaza Strip only becomes a more pressing matter.

With Extreme Circumstances Comes Extreme Measures

The difficulty in obtaining female hygiene products has forced many Gazan women to resort to dangerous measures. Some women wash previously used pads to cope with the lack. Others have opted for old shreds of clothing, towels and ripped pieces of the tents they are using as shelter as substitutes for pads. Adult diapers and measly tissues are also on the list of items used as surrogates. The use of these substitutions may cause skin irritation, infection and deadly toxic shock syndrome. Though they pose great risks to their health, Gazan women have few other options.

Birth control has become a favored remedy among Gazan women, who would rather delay their cycle than deal with the physical and psychological burden that comes with it. Contrary to pads, the pill is readily available and far less expensive than hygiene products. A month’s supply’s worth of birth control costs approximately $3. The extreme measures Gazan women are reduced to take speak of the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, it highlights how women, once again, bear the blows of war. Gaza’s ongoing period poverty epidemic confirms the previous statement.

An International Call for Change

The international community has noticed Gaza’s shortage of menstrual hygiene products and has done its best to aid the crisis. Anera, a nonprofit organization, has provided hygiene kits, which include pads, underwear and wet wipes, to more than 20,000 women and girls. ActionAid has also supported the women in Gaza by preparing hygiene packages with a month’s worth of supplies. Despite their admirable efforts, more has to be done to aid the women in Gaza and stop the rate of period poverty from rising.

– Yasmine Nowroozi

Yasmine is based in Laval, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Menstrual Organizations Fighting Period Poverty

Organizations Fighting Period PovertyGlobally, about 500 million females suffer from period poverty, which involves a lack of access to menstrual products and appropriate facilities. Consequently, many resort to using cheap materials such as newspapers, rags and socks. Unfortunately, these alternatives often pose serious health risks, including infections. Beyond health risks, period poverty obstructs education for girls and women. Many girls miss school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to required menstrual products. On average, girls menstruate for four to five days each month, totaling about 50 days per year. Missing school can have lifelong impacts, including reduced employment opportunities and diminished equality with men. As things stand, menstrual equity, which ensures the affordability, accessibility and safety of menstrual products for those who menstruate could be crucial for ending period poverty.

Period Poverty in Ghana, Algeria and Nigeria

Heavy taxation on menstrual products such as pads and tampons is a growing concern in Ghana. Most menstrual products carry a 20% import tax, leading women to report that these items consume nearly 25% of their income. With the minimum wage in Ghana at 14 cedis, a single pad can cost between 15 and 40 cedis. Consequently, many Ghanaian women resort to using alternatives like cloth and newspapers.

In Algeria, the situation is dire, as it ranks as the worst country for period affordability with an average monthly cost of $34.05 spent on menstrual products. In contrast, South Korea’s average is $25, but it benefits from much higher wages. Nigeria ranks third among countries with the least affordable menstrual products.

Indoni Yamnzi

In South Africa, widely known for its significant gender-based violence issues, the impact extends into aspects of daily life, including education and health. The country reports numerous rape cases daily, reflecting broader systemic issues around women’s rights. This environment contributes to a lack of attention to other significant issues, such as menstrual health, leading to one in three girls missing school during their menstrual period. Addressing this is Indoni Yamnzi, one of the nonprofit organizations fighting period poverty in South Africa. The organization is stepping in to provide crucial support. They offer free menstrual products and educational programs, including reusable safe pads, monthly period packages and empowerment workshops. Unathi, one of the founders, who grew up in Cape Town amid violence, was driven by her more fortunate personal circumstances—including a supportive family and the opportunity for higher education—to create a safer environment and empower girls across South Africa.

MENstruation Foundation

This nonprofit foundation fighting period poverty is also based in South Africa. Founded by Sib Ngesi, a South African actor and producer said: “If men bled once a month, sanitary products would be free. Condoms are free and sanitary products are not, it is a failure of justice.” Until now the foundation has installed 128 sanitary pad dispensing machines and provided girls in school tokens that can be exchanged at the Machine for up to eight sanitary pads per month.

Padbank Nigeria

Ibrahim Faleye, an undergraduate studying biology, founded this nongovernmental organization to educate boys about menstruation and prevent them from shaming girls. Raised with his mother and sisters, Faleye was familiar with menstruation from a young age but recognized that discussing it publicly was considered embarrassing. Determined to dismantle this menstrual stigma, he included boys in conversations about menstruation. After receiving education through Faleye’s program, 14-year-old Opeyemi Adedeji stopped teasing his female classmates about menstruating. He learned that menstruation involves more than just blood—it’s a crucial biological process where eggs are released. Opeyemi even began offering help to his classmates suffering from menstrual cramps.

Breaking the Period Stigma

While contributions through volunteering and donations are valuable, experts say that addressing the deeper issue of period stigma is crucial. This stigma, which shames those who menstruate, has historical roots in ancient religious beliefs that labeled menstruating women as unclean and dangerous, necessitating their separation from men. This archaic view persists, making menstruation a taboo topic. Many individuals feel compelled to speak in hushed tones or use euphemisms like “Aunt Flow” or “Code Red” when discussing menstruation, treating it as an embarrassing subject. To combat this stigma, advocates and organizations fighting period poverty argue that society must accept menstruation as a natural and normal bodily function, open to discussion without embarrassment. Encouraging open dialogue about menstruation across all genders, they suggest, can normalize the topic, reducing the stigma and promoting a more inclusive understanding.

Looking Ahead

Addressing period poverty remains critical, especially in regions where high costs and lack of access to menstrual products exacerbate inequalities and health risks. Organizations fighting period poverty like Indoni Yamnzi, the MENstruation Foundation and Padbank Nigeria are taking significant steps to provide resources and education, whilst also highlighting the urgent need for broader systemic changes. By promoting menstrual equity and challenging the stigma associated with menstruation, these initiatives aim to improve access to essential products, enabling girls and women to lead healthier, more empowered lives.

– Eunsung Koh

Eunsung is based in Seoul, South Korea and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Remedy for Period Poverty in Ghana Fosters Circular Economy

Remedy for Period Poverty Fosters Circular Economy in GhanaPeriod poverty, a significant issue in Ghana, describes the inability of women to afford menstrual products, which can significantly impact various aspects of their lives. The absence of basic sanitary needs often prevents individuals from attending work or school, adversely affecting the prospects of low-income individuals. Young girls are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of period poverty, which often prevents them from attending school. Girls who lack the financial resources to buy sanitary products may miss up to a week of school each month. This amounts to about a fifth of their school year annually. Ghana’s sustainable solution to period poverty aims to create an economically beneficial circular economy.

Taxation and Economic Burden

In Ghana, period poverty is exacerbated by some of the highest taxation rates on menstrual hygiene products in the world. The Ghana Revenue Authority classifies these products as Finished Goods– otherwise known as final consumer goods, subjecting them to a 20% import tax plus a 15% Value Added Tax.

Research indicates that the average minimum wage for women in Ghana is about $26 a month, while period products can cost between $3 and $7 for just eight pads. This means that out of every 80 cedis earned, 11 cedis are spent solely on menstrual products. This calculation does not consider the number of family members these women need to support with essentials like water, food and clothing. Additionally, families often have more than one member who menstruates, compounding the financial burden, as the 80 to 11 ratio applies to each menstruating individual.

Despite the high rates of period poverty in countries like Ghana, communities and advocates are actively working to address these ongoing challenges and alleviate the financial strain that menstrual products impose on women.

Kodu Technology’s Innovative Solution

Kodu Technology, an organization focused on eradicating period poverty in rural communities through eco-friendly products, actively works to ease the stress of menstruation using banana fibers.

Umar Farouk Mubraka, Co-Founder of Kodu, explains how the company initially intended to make paper from banana fiber. During its research, it discovered that banana and plantain fibers have high absorption capabilities, leading to the development of a new type of sanitary pad. This innovation utilizes by-products from the agricultural industry, fostering a circular economy that benefits local farmers and minimizes waste. Farouk added, “{this project is} positioned as a catalyst for positive environmental and socio-economic change,” in addition to helping the economy and proactively working against poverty. 

Farouk, born in Wa, a town in the Upper West Region of Ghana, is a licensed nutritionist who dedicates her time to facilitating this circular economy and alleviating period poverty. In 2023, Kodu received more than $8,000 after winning the Circular Economy Competition. Circular economies are increasingly seen as a guiding principle in today’s world, helping to generate economic revenue in impoverished nations and sustainably reusing materials to benefit the environment.

Looking Ahead

Ghana’s innovative approach to addressing period poverty through sustainable practices exemplifies the potential for creating impactful change. Initiatives like eco-friendly menstrual products made from locally sourced materials are making menstrual hygiene more accessible and affordable. These ongoing efforts contribute not only to improving the lives of women and girls but also to fostering economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

– Hailey Nurry

Hailey is based in PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Period Poverty in Benin: How Innovation is Building Dignity 

Period Poverty in BeninAs a normal biological process, menstruation should not hinder access to health care, education or general well-being. In Benin, however, period poverty disproportionately affects millions of women and girls who do not have access to sanitary goods and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) materials. This lack of access forces girls to resort to risky behaviors that can negatively impact their confidence, health and school attendance. Despite these challenges, creative solutions are emerging. Thanks to the efforts of committed non-governmental organizations and government programs more is being done to eradicate period poverty in Benin. By empowering women and girls to manage their periods with dignity and confidence, these initiatives further seek to eradicate the taboo surrounding menstruation in Benin.

Understanding the Depth of the Problem

A complex web of interrelated factors beyond just physical hardship causes period poverty. Social taboos surrounding menstruation create a culture of silence that prevents open dialogue and access to reliable information. Traditional beliefs that portray menstruation as dirty or shameful contribute to a lack of support for girls and women during their periods.

This silence leads to poor sanitary practices. Unable to afford sanitary pads or lacking access to proper sanitation facilities, many women and girls have to use unsanitary substitutes. These practices increase the risk of infections, urinary tract issues and reproductive health problems.

Period poverty also compels girls to miss school. Fear of leaks, inadequate sanitary facilities and a lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene management can all contribute to school absences. This disrupts their education and potentially widens the gender gap in educational achievement around the world and in Benin.

According to the World Bank, Benin’s national poverty rate in 2021-2022 was 36.2%. This widespread poverty creates significant challenges for women and girls to afford necessities, including sanitary products.

Eco-Friendly and Community Education Initiatives

Organizations like Ilewa recognize the need for sustainable solutions that address both environmental concerns and period poverty in Benin. It produces and markets reusable sanitary pads made from sustainable, locally sourced materials. Its 2021 fundraising drive provided reusable pads to 500 underprivileged girls in Parakou. By promoting a dignified approach to menstrual hygiene, these initiatives empower women. Additionally, they promote environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on disposable products.

Long-term change requires breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation. Organizations like Action Education organize community seminars and awareness campaigns. These campaigns go beyond educating girls and women, also including men and boys in the conversation about menstrual hygiene. These initiatives strive to dispel stigma and create a more supportive environment for menstruating women and girls by fostering empathy and compassion.

Impact and the Road Ahead

Benin’s creative solutions are showing positive results. Increased access to sanitary products, improved hygiene facilities and educational efforts are empowering women and girls to manage their periods effectively. This improves their health and overall well-being, while also promoting educational opportunities and social inclusion.

Challenges remain, however. Reaching remote areas, ensuring program sustainability, and addressing the broader social and cultural aspects of menstruation all require ongoing efforts. Scaling up these programs and advocating for legislative changes that prioritize menstrual health is crucial to achieving menstrual equity for all in Benin.

Conclusion

Period poverty is a complex problem, but a combination of innovative thinking and unwavering commitment can solve it. The programs and organizations working in Benin offer hope for a future where menstruation is not a source of shame or a barrier to opportunity. By shattering the taboo, promoting education, and providing practical solutions, these initiatives are laying the groundwork for a future where period power enables women and girls to thrive.

– Taiwo Makanjuola

Taiwo is based in Sunderland, UK and focuses on Global Health and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Period Poverty in Somalia

Period Poverty in SomaliaSomalia stands as an exceedingly impoverished nation, ranking as one of the poorest countries in Africa. The Voluntary National Review of 2022 acknowledges that nearly seven out of 10 Somalis endure poverty, falling below the international poverty line. The country consistently faces recurrent droughts, attributed to unsuccessful rainy seasons. These droughts have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and caused extensive crop failures.

What Is Period Poverty? 

Period Poverty is a global issue. According to the World Bank, as many as 500 million people across the globe face Period Poverty. Consequently, 500 million girls and women have a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products (commonly pads, tampons and menstrual cups), sanitation facilities (disposal and washing) and education/information regarding menstruation and period products.

Examining Period Poverty in Somalia

In Somali society, people often consider menstruation a taboo. Menstruating girls and women are viewed as unclean, making them deemed unfit for regular daily activities. This lack of awareness surrounding menstruation contributes to a shortage of proper sanitary hygiene products in Somalia. Furthermore, this lack of understanding makes girls and women refrain from seeking necessary treatment for menstrual pain. 

Consequently, numerous girls and women turn to utilizing leaves, aged fabric, socks, the interiors of worn-out mattresses and newspapers. The results of such desperation are heartbreaking. The use of unhygienic materials as sanitary products heightens the risk of urogenital symptoms and infections among Somali girls and women.

Period poverty in Somalia significantly impacts girls’ education. Many girls in the Somali capital regularly miss classes during menstruation. The lack of access to sanitary products leaves them feeling uncomfortable and fearful of potential embarrassment or staining their clothes. This disadvantage faced by females in Somalia hinders their academic progress and diminishes their prospects for future success, further perpetuating gender inequality. 

Positive Action 

The Youth Peer Network supported by UNFPA Somalia has initiated a campaign addressing sexual reproductive health for young people. Launched in 1999 and established in 2011, the Youth Peer Network has branches in more than 50 countries around the world.

The campaigns main priority is menstrual hygiene. Mohamed Arshad Ibrahim, a peer educator for the Youth Peer Network, states, “We aim to eradicate the lack of menstrual hygiene products, and we have distributed reusable sanitary pads to many vulnerable girls for use during their periods, which allows them to stay in school.”. The campaign has been carried out in several schools and universities. Over 2,000 girls suffering from period poverty in Somalia, have benefitted from packs of reusable sanitary supplies. These reusable sanitary supplies are included in the campaign’s dignity kits. The kits include disposable and reusable menstrual pads, underwear, soap and other essentials. 

Founded in 2005, the GBV Area of Responsibility currently has operational presence in 44 countries across 5 regions of the world. GBV Area of Responsibility is actively working to distribute dignity kits to vulnerable women and girls throughout Somalia. In 2020, GBV Area of Responsibility provided 12,816 people with dignity kits in 17 coordination hubs across Somalia. Upon receiving these kits, women and girls gain access to essential items such as soap and hand sanitizers, contact details for GBV service providers, laundry soap, baby-safe antibacterial wipes, chamber pots with privacy shields and sanitary products.

A Look Ahead

Unfortunately, the Somalian government has shown no initiative in providing support for women regarding healthcare needs and finances. The commendable efforts made by organizations such as UNFPA and GBV Area of Responsibility to aid women and girls in Somalia should be greatly applauded. 

– Libby Jackson
Photo: Flickr

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Facts You Did Not Know about Period Poverty in the CAR

Period Poverty in the CARPeriod poverty constitutes a pressing global public health challenge many have often disregarded. It encompasses a lack of access to menstrual products, education and proper sanitation facilities. Although Period Poverty may sound cliché, its implications are far-reaching and often unrecognized. Despite significantly impacting millions of girls worldwide annually, the issue remains largely unaddressed by the media. Nowhere is this issue more acute than in the Central African Republic (CAR), where it compounds existing obstacles to accessing essential resources such as education and health care services. This article explores key facts about period poverty in the CAR. It highlights its harsh realities and stresses the urgent need for support and intervention.

Limited Access To Menstrual Products

Limited access to menstrual products in the CAR exacerbates challenges faced by women and girls, hindering their ability to manage their menstrual health effectively. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2014, highlighting the dire consequences of stigma, poverty and inadequate access to essential services such as toilets and water on menstrual health and hygiene for women and girls.

Particularly affected are the poorest, ethnic minorities, refugees and individuals with disabilities. Although menstrual materials are widespread, ranging from 81% to 100% across most countries surveyed, some rely on inadequate substitutes like paper or nothing. Additionally, access to private spaces for washing and changing varies greatly, with significant disparities between rural and urban areas and ethnic groups facing even more critical challenges and limitations in emergency settings.

The Educational Barriers

CAR significantly impedes educational opportunities for young women. One in four miss school due to substandard facilities for menstruation and a lack of menstrual education. This absence of proper menstrual hygiene management not only hampers students’ education but also perpetuates the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.

Health Implications

The deficient management of menstrual hygiene poses significant health risks for young women. Insufficient menstrual hygiene increases the likelihood of infections and reproductive health issues, potentially leading to long-term health complications. Furthermore, poor menstrual hygiene can contribute to social stigma and discrimination, exacerbating the mental and emotional well-being challenges faced by young women.

Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation persist in the CAR, exacerbating challenges for women and girls. The enduring stigma attached to this issue fosters silence, further complicating the establishment of effective policies concerning menstrual health.

Additionally, economic disparities worsen period poverty, particularly affecting women and girls from low-income households. Affording menstrual products becomes a challenge, perpetuating a cycle of poverty that obstructs their opportunities for advancement.

NGO Interventions and Future Prospects

Nonprofit organizations (NGOs) actively assist girls and women in the CAR who face challenges due to period poverty. NGOs like Days for Girls are at the forefront, educating about menstrual health, distributing hygiene products and challenging stigmatizing beliefs surrounding menstruation.

Period poverty in the CAR is a multifaceted challenge demanding attention, awareness and unified action. Despite progress, sustained efforts and partnerships with local communities and the government are essential for lasting change.

– Jayde Andrews
Photo: Flickr

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Period poverty in the Balkans

Period Poverty in Europe: The Balkan CaseWith half of the world’s population comprising of females, period poverty affects millions of women and girls on an ongoing monthly basis. Defined by ActionAid as the lack of access to safe, hygienic menstrual products and an inability to manage menstruation with dignity, period poverty remains prevalent in many least-developed and developing countries worldwide. But how common is period poverty in the Balkans?

PaRiter, a Croatian human rights organization and Jana Kocevska, a North Macedonian female rights activist and founder of Tiiit! Inc., collaborate to highlight and address inequality and period injustice affecting women and girls in the Balkans. Its efforts focus on raising awareness and advocating for systemic changes to address these challenges.

The Balkan Case

The Balkans, a region on Europe’s mountainous southeastern peninsula, includes countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Historically, this area has experienced long periods of instability and conflict, leading to significant disparities between these countries and the rest of Europe, particularly its Western counterparts.

Multidimensional poverty remains high, with 34% of people in Kosovo living below $6.85 per day according to the World Bank’s poverty line for upper-middle-income countries. In contrast, the number of people living below this threshold in the rest of Europe amounts to only 2%.

Period Poverty in Croatia

With this lack of socio-economic development, gender-based poverty has increasingly been scrutinized. A study conducted by PaRiter in 2021 indicated that 9.9% of participating women in Croatia sometimes did not have the financial resources to buy enough sanitary products, while 28.1% were forced to buy cheaper items of worse quality.

Until 2023, Croatia imposed a 25% tax on tampons, which was then reduced to 15%. This tax cut marks progress in combating period poverty, yet the ongoing stigma around menstruation and limited access to affordable, quality sanitary products still cause disparities. Many women and girls, due to these barriers, miss work or school, further increasing their vulnerability.

However, through PaRiter’s initiative, many educational institutions across Croatia have implemented a trial run providing free sanitary products to people who menstruate. In response, Marinella Matejcic, women’s rights and reproductive justice program lead from PaRiter, stated “We are happy not only with the fact that many educational institutions and local administrations have decided to take action but also because a paradigm shift has taken place regarding the topics considered suitable to be addressed in a public debate. The battle against period poverty is an issue of public interest that overcomes ideological differences.”

Interview with North Macedonian Female Rights Activist

Croatia sets an example for other Balkan countries with its advanced public and health care infrastructure. Unlike Croatia, nations like Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia still grapple with limited access to modern gynecology and contraceptive methods. Rural areas in these countries often face challenges in accessing clean water and their health facilities, underdeveloped and burdened with outdated perspectives on female sexual and reproductive health, further exacerbate the disparities in women’s health care.

In an interview, North Macedonian Jana Kocevksa described that “Menstrual Justice is about opening the debate, acknowledging that menstruation is an important natural phenomenon related to sexual and reproductive health” and that “politics leading to ending menstrual poverty should be systematically supported by the national health program.”

On October 4, 2023, North Macedonia joined the UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health as the 28th member, committing to enhance health and hygiene support in its minority and rural communities. This initiative marks a crucial step in addressing disparities in menstrual hygiene by focusing on clean water access. However, to fully combat period poverty, the country recognizes the need to expand education and awareness campaigns to dismantle the stigma associated with menstruation.

In its survey, PaRiter pointed out that a key factor of period poverty was that many women felt shame and embarrassment around menstruation, indicating a severe gap in the current education system. Kocevska suggests that the solution “can only be achieved with political and well managed public health politics, emphasizing that “Menstrual justice means that marginalized people and minorities, people in different age groups or urban or rural areas, should all have equal access to knowledge on menstruation, periods free of stigma and clean period products.”

Period Poverty: Destigmatization

Efforts by organizations like PaRiter and activists such as Kocevska have raised awareness of period poverty in the Balkans, yet ongoing discussions are crucial to identify further areas for development. Many countries in the region lag behind their European counterparts in health and education, often clinging to outdated views on menstrual and reproductive health.

Efforts to educate on sexual health and women’s reproductive rights may need to undergo systemic changes at both local and national levels. This is critical to dismantling the stigma associated with menstruation and women’s cycles, ultimately aiming to eradicate period poverty in the Balkans.

As PaRiter’s Matejcic states, “For the idea of menstruation as something dirty to be definitively deconstructed and or the menstrual cycle to be destigmatized, it is necessary to introduce sexual education in school to educate citizens. Embarrassment and shame are fought with knowledge.”

– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Unsplash