Did you know that “poverty” doesn’t always connote to the lack of money? Especially for us women, there’s a specific type of “poverty” that is exclusive to us (how special..) while its root cause continues to flow into every aspect of society. That is namely Period Poverty.
Every month, around 2 billion women menstruate according to UNWOMEN. Yet in that genepool, they state that millions of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products or are stigmatized in their respective communities. As harsh as it is, girls and women can still suffer from “period poverty” not because they can’t afford it, but because they’re not well educated about their own natural process. In Bangladesh, almost half of women menstruating didn’t have sufficient education about periods before they got it (unwomen). The adverse effects of this can be seen with young girls as their first time is instilled with fear of not just knowing what’s happening in their body, but also not knowing what to do when it does happen. This juxtaposition begs a question: If getting your period is considered a “natural” process, then why is the education system shunning the emphasis to spread awareness on periods?
Period inflation
In addition, as we browse store shelves for our period restock, most of us don’t think twice about how expensive they are elsewhere. As long as you could afford it, that’s all that matters right? Well, in countries with economic crisis such as Lebanon, prices for menstrual products have skyrocketed by 98-234%. In an economy such as Lebanon’s, women can’t afford to purchase products to cater to their needs. The contention point with this case isn’t only that it’s unsustainable for women to live in this situation, but it is the fact that there has been no reform or legislation to mitigate these circumstances. It doesn’t just affect lower-income countries either, as demonstrated by Plan International’s survey in 2020, 3/10 girls in the UK “struggled” to purchase or access period products and used toilet paper as a short-term fix. However, no matter a country big or small, even if one may argue that there are other urgent priorities that need addressing; it’s a shame that governments, who’s figures are at times women themselves, allow the women of their society feel unseen, unheard, and undeserving of help.
Pink tax
We’ve probably heard the term “pink tax” but what does it really mean for us women? As I mentioned above, while period product prices have increased and accessibility has sunken, Viagra (for male erectile dysfunction) is classified as tax exempt. The plausible explanation for this is that companies and governments can exploit the ubiquity of periods by pricing and taxing them without backlash. The irony is uncanny, and it reflects back to the level of inequality that’s caused by patriarchy. Another form of “pink tax” can be seen as prices for toiletries being different as they’re marketed for “different genders”. Most of the time, products such as shaving razors fulfill its purpose no matter who uses it, however it is those who fall for the cunning marketing that end up paying the price.
Stigma and perception
Periods are still seen as a “taboo” topic, afraid to be discussed even in educational settings. But does sweeping the topic under the rug solve the underlying issue? Women are succumbed to shame for discussing their menstrual problems, and the shamers aren’t just men, but at times they’re mothers, relatives, teachers, etc.. The problem is, shame doesn’t offer any solutions. Shame inhibits women from talking about the reality of their menstrual livelihood: how their menstrual pads are laced with chemicals that affect cycles, how there’s no reform to make products more accessible, the list goes on. Breaking the negative stigma around menstruation will allow women to prioritize their menstrual health, provide insightful solutions, and most importantly allow for freedom to express their concerns regarding their own human process.
Solutions
Further research initiatives and development is needed to record data on the status quo in regard to accessibility of period products, the rate of education on periods, and gaps that need addressing in the near future. What we lack in society is collective action, so supporting plans to promote access to menstruation products is crucial, and could be done by any one of any gender. Furthermore, to mothers and adults that are around young girls, they should engender a positive and supportive environment to reduce the fear around someone’s first period, or allowing girls in menstruation to participate in all aspects of life. And lastly, encourage no-tolerance towards inappropriate jokes about periods.