Period Poverty: The Injustice of Bleeding While Female
- Cups of change
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
The Reality of Period Poverty
Period poverty is a global issue that affects millions of women and girls. It is defined as the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, education about menstruation, and adequate sanitation facilities. This issue goes beyond inconvenience—it perpetuates gender inequality, limits opportunities, and affects the health and dignity of women worldwide.
Globally, an estimated 500 million women and girls face period poverty every month. This means that for many, menstruation becomes a barrier to education, work, and living a life of dignity.
The Cost of Menstruation: A Financial Burden
The financial burden of menstruation is glaring when we compare the cost of menstrual products to income levels across the globe. Here’s a snapshot:
- United States: A box of tampons costs around $7–10. For a woman earning minimum wage, this can amount to 3–5% of her monthly income.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: A pack of sanitary pads can cost $0.90–$2.00, while many women live on less than $1.90 a day. This means that a single pack of pads could consume an entire day’s income or more.
- India: A pack of sanitary pads costs approximately ₹30–₹50 ($0.40–$0.70), but 70% of women cannot afford them.
- United Kingdom: The “tampon tax” (VAT on menstrual products) was only abolished in 2021, but women still spend an average of £128 ($155) annually on menstrual products.
For women living in poverty, these costs are insurmountable. Many are forced to use unsafe alternatives like rags, newspapers, or even leaves, leading to health risks and infections.
The Injustice of Being a Woman
Period poverty is not just a financial issue—it is a gender injustice. Menstruation is a natural, biological process, yet women are penalized for it in the following ways:
1. Missed Education:
- UNICEF reports that 1 in 10 girls in Africa misses school during their period, equating to 20% of the school year.
- In India, 23% of girls drop out of school entirely after they start menstruating.
2. Health Risks:
- Lack of access to safe menstrual products increases the risk of infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and reproductive health issues.
- Poor sanitation facilities exacerbate these risks, especially in rural and low-income areas.
3. Social Stigma:
- In many cultures, menstruation is shrouded in shame and taboo, isolating women and girls during their periods.
- This stigma perpetuates silence, preventing open conversations and solutions.
4. Economic Inequality:
- Women already face a global gender pay gap of 23%, and period poverty compounds this injustice. How can women compete in education or the workforce if they are held back by something as natural as menstruation?
Empowering Women Through Action
Addressing period poverty is not just a matter of providing menstrual products—it’s about empowering women and girls to live with dignity and equality. Here’s why it’s crucial:
- Education: Providing menstrual hygiene products ensures that girls can stay in school and pursue their dreams without interruption. Education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.
- Health and Safety: Access to safe menstrual products reduces health risks and ensures that women can manage their periods without compromising their well-being.
- Breaking the Stigma: Open conversations about menstruation challenge harmful taboos and empower women to feel confident and unashamed.
- Economic Equality: When women are not held back by period poverty, they can fully participate in the workforce, contributing to their families and communities.
The Way Forward
At Cups of Change, we believe that no woman or girl should suffer because of her period. By providing menstrual cups, education, and advocacy, we are working to end period poverty in West Africa and beyond.
But this is a global fight. Governments, organizations, and individuals must come together to:
1. Make Menstrual Products Free or Affordable: Scotland became the first country to provide free menstrual products nationwide in 2020. This should be a global standard.
2. Invest in Education and Sanitation: Schools and communities need proper facilities and education to ensure menstrual hygiene.
3. Challenge the Stigma: Menstruation is not a disease. It’s time to normalize conversations around periods and break the silence.
Join the Movement
Every woman deserves the freedom to live, learn, and work without being held back by her period. Together, we can break the cycle of period poverty and empower women and girls to reach their full potential.
Talk about it. Share it. Donate.
Visit www.cupsofchange.org or scan the QR code to join the fight against period poverty.
Let’s empower women to freedom—one woman at a time, one cup at a time.
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