Understanding the Global Impact of Period Poverty
Beliefs, religions, attitudes, access to menstrual products, taboos, poverty, and societal expectations all influence how menstruation is perceived and experienced. What may seem normal to some may be completely foreign to others. Today, we shed light on the diverse experiences women face around the world. This helps raise awareness about period poverty and the harmful stigma surrounding menstruation. Period poverty, where women lack access to menstrual products and face shame or stigma, occurs in both rich and poor countries, with devastating consequences. In Africa, girls miss school due to lack of products. In New Zealand, many girls can’t afford essentials. In Nepal, archaic practices isolate women. In the UK and the US, girls struggle to afford products, resorting to makeshift solutions like using toilet paper. By sharing the stories of women worldwide, we highlight the urgent need to address period poverty and support safe and stress-free menstruation for all.
