Essential Insights into Period Poverty and How You Can Offer Assistance
In recent years, a significant movement has emerged to combat period poverty, a pressing issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Period poverty, defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, sanitation, and hygiene resources, can have a profound impact on people's lives.
In the United States, an estimated 16.9 million people with periods live in poverty, and the pandemic has exacerbated the issue. A survey revealed that more than 40% of American adults who menstruate struggled to access period products, with the number increasing and disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities.
The consequences of period poverty can be far-reaching. It can lead to higher risks of infection due to the use of unsuitable materials for absorption, and it can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and guilt. A 2021 study found that 68.1% of college women dealing with period poverty showed symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression.
Fortunately, steps are being taken to end period poverty. More than 30 states in the U.S. introduced "menstrual equity" policies in 2021, and several state governments, including California and New York, introduced laws to address period poverty by providing free menstrual products in schools and public facilities.
One such organization leading the charge is PERIOD, which has 400 chapters worldwide and provides menstrual supplies to those in need. The Pad Project, another organisation, offers monetary grants to nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and school districts to help them purchase and distribute menstrual products.
L.A. County launched a 1-year pilot program to provide free menstrual products in public spaces, and efforts to end "tampon taxes" continue. Food banks and local shelters also provide period products, and donating supplies or money to these organizations can make a significant difference.
The Pad Project can help connect those in need with resources in their area. In addition, organisations like these are working to ensure that period products are readily available in schools, as California passed a law requiring public schools serving grades 6 to 12 to provide free menstrual products.
It's important to remember that period poverty is a solvable problem, and we know the solutions to it. By advocating for ourselves and supporting organisations working to end period poverty, we can help ensure that everyone has access to the menstrual products they need. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding periods and create a more equitable world for all.
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