Ending the Stigma. Period.
A successful menstrual hygiene campaign in India in 2012 convinced WASH United to propose a global day of action the following year. With every passing year, the annual May 28th Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign attracts support from partners, like UNICEF and World Vision, that want to end "period poverty." What is "period poverty" and how can we help achieve that goal?
Menstruation is expensive. Period.
The Center for Global Women's Health defines "period poverty" as an umbrella term that encompasses inequalities related to menstruation, including the high cost of period products. In 2019, Reuters reported on a survey of women with low incomes who lived in large U.S. cities. Roughly two-thirds of respondents could not afford menstrual products and almost half had resorted to using cloths, tissues, and paper towels. The U.S. government does not include period products in grocery assistance programs, like SNAP and WIC, and some states tax hygiene products at the highest rate in what is referred to as the "tampon tax." Currently, 30 states view menstrual products as "luxury items" for the purpose of sales taxes. Perhaps one day the world will follow Scotland's lead and make period products free for everyone.
Silent suffering.
In some communities, menstruation is not widely discussed. Refugees in those communities are particularly vulnerable to experiencing menstruation inequalities, such as missing school because of periods. According to UNICEF, Syrian refugees in Informal Tented Settlements outside of Amman, Jordan often miss a week of school per month because they only have access to a unisex bathroom, which creates social anxiety. There is also fear of accidental blood stains on clothing that can lead to unfair charges of "uncleanliness." During a UNICEF menstruation discussion in the settlement, older women in the group noted that little explicit guidance is offered to young girls and boys do not participate in any discussions about periods. Unfortunately, the silence adds to pre-adolescent discomfort and myths in school.
Lack of privacy and freedom.
In Berlin, Germany, homeless shelters offer free period products. However, VICE found that people who menstruate face serious challenges due to the lack of free, public bathrooms. Without more accessible bathrooms, people are forced to find covered areas in local parks. In doing so, they are constantly afraid of being sexually assaulted. One woman said, "It only takes running into the wrong kind of guys one time, those who know you are alone." And another added, "If someone rapes you, how do you explain why your pants were down? You have to be careful all the time."
End the stigma. There are a number of national and international organizations working to end period stigmas and inequalities. Here are a few of our favorites that provide education and resources:
1) Dignity Period: In 2014, through a Fulbright program, Dr. Lewis Wall worked at Mekelle University in Ethiopia to improve residency education in obstetrics and gynecology. He and his wife learned that menstruation was connected to significant school dropout rates. Now based in St. Louis, MO, their non-profit organization works to ensure that girls around the world have access to period products and can stay in school. They are currently looking for Volunteer Ambassadors.
2) PERIOD: The movement, which distributes free menstrual products to anyone in need, has 49 U.S. chapters and 50 international chapters. In 2020, PERIOD was able to give away at least 5,000,000 products! You can get involved in their work as an individual by joining existing chapters and donating products. Corporations and organizations can join their partnership network, too.
3) The Cova Project: Based in Australia, this charitable organization works with local partners in Liberia, South Africa, Malawi, Ghana, and Uganda to distribute menstrual cups. To date, 10,800 people have received a menstrual cup from The Cova Project. All donations are tax deductible in Australia.