Steps towards equal healthcare
layman's journal
Period Poverty: Addressing a Silent Crisis in Conflict Zones and Beyond
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Period poverty is defined as the ‘lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products during monthly periods and inaccessibility to basic sanitation services or facilities as well as menstrual hygiene education’. In Layman's terms, millions of girls and women do not have stable access to menstrual products, water, and adequate sanitation to stay hygienic and healthy. This leads to many problems, such as missing valuable education, being unable to work, and facing long-term effects on their menstrual health.
Many countries, including the UK, have taken direct actions to tackle this widespread issue. For example, Scotland established a £5.2 million fund to make sanitary products free for pupils and students in schools, directly improving accessibility and setting a precedent for other countries to follow. In January 2020, free period products were handed out to all primary and secondary schools in England. This is not only occurring here in the UK; a few states in USA have passed laws mandating that schools should have free sanitary products for their female students.
While all of the above clearly display a movement towards the destruction of period poverty, many individuals across various regions, especially in lower income countries and areas experiencing conflict, are still grappling with this dire issue. For instance, a current example in the media, women in Gaza struggle to find any type of menstrual pads and other essential hygiene products due to the ongoing war situation, exacerbating their already dire living conditions. This lack of access to basic necessities not only affects their health and hygiene but also adds to the psychological stress they endure daily. Menstruation is often under-looked in the media during times of war; the harsh truth is that it simply becomes a horror story for countless women.
Ruba Akkila, before the outbreak of war in Gaza, used to work in the protection of women and children. She has stated that sanitary products sporadically appears on shelves at random times, but are 6 times the original price. This makes it inaccessible to the vast majority of Palestinian women in Gaza, who are living in poverty and malnourished households due to the lack of aid and food. Stores and pharmacies no longer have a stable stock of these essential products. Sanitary products are not a luxury but a necessity and human right, and no women should ever stress about how she will ‘manage’ her cycle. UN women has estimated that 10 million disposable pads each month are required to cover the needs of women in Gaza. They have resorted to using cloths or sponges, shattering their dignity every month.
Gaza provides a small insight into what many women worldwide battle constantly. worldwide battling period poverty. According to the World Bank, 500 million women across the globe lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities to maintain a healthy level of hygiene. This issue is compounded by the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation in many cultures. For example, but not limited to, only 32% of girls in Bangladesh were aware of menstruation before their first period. This lack of awareness of a normal and natural topic affects the perception and understanding of periods by young girls. Consequently, they may not feel comfortable when it comes to addressing their needs during menstruation, particularly in front of male peers.
This article has only scratched the surface of a complex topic that many women face daily. Addressing period poverty requires a multi- faceted approach, including raising awareness, improving access to menstrual products, and providing comprehensive menstrual health education. Charities and organisations play a crucial role in this effort, offering support and resources to those in need.
By understanding the scope and impact of period poverty, we can take meaningful steps to help those affected and work towards a world where every girl and woman can manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.
Below, you can find some links with extra information, as well as charities that help to tackle this widespread problem.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0jpTx2oG06/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/blog/2023/05/26/cost-living-uk-period-poverty-risen
https://www.map.org.uk/what-we-do/women-and-childrens-health
https://www.actionaid.org.uk/our-work/womens-rights/period-poverty