Most of us know what ‘poverty’ means. And for most of us, ‘poverty’ means absence of basic requirements like food, shelter, clothing, access to education. There is always a talk about urban poverty or rural poverty. People with economics background discuss about ‘absolute poverty’ or ‘relative poverty’. But ‘period poverty’? What is this all about?
Last week, this has become the key focus for mainstream news agencies as Scotland has become the first country in the world to legally entrust the right to free period products with an aim to end 'period poverty'. The Period Products Act, which came into force on 15th August 2022 compels local governments and educational institutions to provide products to anyone who needs them.
Period poverty is a situation where girls and women a) are not able to afford periods related supplies b) lack sanitary facilities c) fear of embarrassing encounter. Period Poverty refers to lack of access to menstrual products, related education and awareness, hygiene facilities and waste management. This is an issue which is related to all those who menstruate across the world – don’t think that it’s a third world problem. Available research states that 500 million people worldwide are affected by period poverty.
Highlights from various research studies:
1.25 billion women and girls have no access to a safe, private toilet; 526 million don't have a toilet at all.
A UNESCO report estimates that one in ten girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle. By some estimates, this equals as much as twenty percent of a given school year. Even if these girls stay in education throughout their childhood, they are likely to fall behind boys of their age, adding to the existing inequalities.
It was estimated that more than 137,700 girls in the UK missed school last year because they can't afford sanitary products.
A recent survey by Plan International UK found more than a third of girls aged 14-21 in the UK have struggled to afford or access menstrual products during the pandemic - up one fifth on the previous year.
A 2019 study in Missouri, US, found that nearly two thirds (64%) of women were unable to afford menstrual products during the previous year.
In New Zealand, 2020 survey found that more than 90,000 school-age girls stay home from school because they can't afford menstrual products - around one in 12.
Period poverty affects 1.7 million women in France, a survey by the French Institute for Public Opinion has found.
An average of more than 40% of students in India resort to missing school while menstruating because of social stigma, isolation, embarrassment, and inaccessibility of period products.
I would like to focus on period poverty affecting school going girls as it impacts school age girls not just physically but also socially and emotionally.
Photo credit: @Akcja Menstruacja/Facebook
Challenges posed by Period Poverty:
Awareness: Onset of menstruation leads to physical and emotional changes in girls. School age girls need support as most girls start their period when they are about 12. It is not easy for them to accept, learn about and adjust to the biological changes happening in the body. These young girls need guidance to adapt to the changes and adjust to the monthly routine without compromising on their routine including studies, sports and other activities. Provision of hygienic conditions is a must. Availability and affordability of period supplies is essential. All these aspects need to be available so that girls can adjust and adapt to the changes and continue with their education. It is noticed that many girls start missing their school during periods as a result of absence of (one or combination of) sufficient supplies, hygienic conditions and healthy state of body & mind.
Amenities & its availability: Absence of supplies, unhygienic conditions along with feeling of social alienation creates stress, anxiety and unwanted feel towards periods. In many communities, families don't talk about periods and related issues. There is some kind of stigma talking about it. Unhygienic conditions lead to restricting movement as girls refrain from using toilets during school hours and prefer to wait till they reach home. Many a times, girls do not have money to buy necessary supplies. In some cases, its reported that girls had used unconventional material which may not be suitable. Absence of affordability and/or availability or both can lead to movement restriction, unwanted embarrassing situation and compromise to one's health. No wonder, it leads to drop in school attendance.
Absenteeism: These negative experiences of period can lead to discomfort, distraction, absenteeism and even dropping out of school. Poor school attendance affects a person’s future earning potential, self-esteem, health outcomes, and sense of control.
Steps Taken so far...
Period Poverty is not an issue restricted to just few nations of the world - this trend is observed in developed-developing or under-developed nations. United Nations along with Governments and voluntary organizations is working hard towards its elimination.
Half of the world's population is closely linked with menstrual health and period poverty can and may hit anyone. you never know, someone close to you might be facing this issue. One simple step to eliminate period poverty is EASY AND FREE (AFFORDABLE) ACCESS TO PERIOD PRODUCTS. Research has shown that accessibility to products directly lead to drop in absenteeism and eventually leads to normalcy. Awareness and education about menstrual health can further lead to social and emotional wellbeing of the girls.
Congratulations to Scotland for taking these right steps. As per the The Period Products Act, which came into force on 15th August 2022, it will be the responsibility of local authorities and education providers to ensure the products are available free of charge.
Thank you, Monica Lennon @MonicaLennon7 the Scottish lawmaker who introduced the bill in April 2019 and made it a reality.
Scotland is not the only country working on this issue.
New Zealand had announced earlier that it would offer free period products in schools, addressing concerns that a lack of access was one of the reasons young people were skipping school.
In Seoul, South Korea free menstrual products are dispensed in some public facilities since 2018 after a public outcry over reports that girls were turning to do-it-yourself solutions such as wrapping tissues around shoe insoles.
The UK abolished the 5% rate of value-added tax (VAT) on menstrual products in January 2021, . And in 2019, England launched an initiative to provide free sanitary products in schools.
In France, the government is investing €1 million in the roll-out of free period products to schools, according to the poverty action site, Global Citizen.
Kenya and South Africa has removed tax on period products for easy affordability.
This is a positive change. Need of the hour is collective efforts by governments, voluntary organizations, educational institutes, corporate bodies and individuals like you and me. Yes, we all can be part of this movement to eliminate period poverty and strengthen social-emotional wellbeing of girls and women.
Let's be sensitive and supportive!
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