Key Concepts
Period poverty, reusable period products (reusable pads, reusable panties, menstrual cups), accessibility, affordability, stigma, menstrual hygiene, education, policy advocacy, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).
The Scope of Period Poverty
The average person who menstruates experiences their period for approximately 2535 days, or about seven years, according to the UN. Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to sanitary products due to affordability or availability, is a global issue affecting women and girls in both the Global South and developed nations like the UK and the US. The World Bank estimates that 500 million women and girls worldwide lack access to menstrual products.
Causes and Consequences of Period Poverty
Gloria Achieng, a BBC journalist in Nairobi, highlights the high cost of period products and limited access to water and sanitation facilities as primary drivers of period poverty, especially in Africa. While period products are readily available in urban areas, they are often scarce in rural regions, forcing women to use alternatives like old cloths, cotton wool, rags, and even leaves. A 2023 BBC research revealed that women on minimum wage in Ghana spend one in every $7 earned on sanitary pads.
The consequences of period poverty extend beyond health concerns. Girls often miss school due to a lack of sanitary products, and working-class women may be unable to attend work, compounded by stigma and a lack of clean toilet facilities.
Reusable Period Products as a Potential Solution
Reusable period products, including reusable pads, reusable panties, and menstrual cups, are presented as a potential solution to period poverty. One initiative has enabled over 4000 girls to remain in school by providing reusable sanitary pads. Menstrual cups, which can last up to ten years and are made of silicone, are gaining popularity in Africa due to their reusability and biodegradability.
The Cup Effect Project: A Case Study
The Cup Effect Project, an Australian charity, has donated 38,000 menstrual cups since 2019, primarily in Uganda, but also in Liberia, Ghana, and Malawi. Initially, introducing menstrual cups was challenging, but word-of-mouth has led to an 80% cup uptake rate after four months. The project emphasizes the importance of clean water access and collaborates with schools that have WASH facilities to ensure proper cleaning practices. While menstrual cups require less water than reusable pads or period undies, clean hands are crucial to prevent infections due to their insertable nature.
Accessibility, Affordability, and Stigma
Reusable pads can cost around $5 or more, making them unaffordable for many women without stable incomes. Charities often provide these products and teach women how to make them using locally available materials. While there is little stigma associated with reusable pads, menstrual cups face stigma due to myths about virginity.
Addressing Myths and Promoting Education
Michelle Roberts, a BBC Health Reporter, addresses myths surrounding tampons and menstrual cups. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious risk associated with both products, caused by bacteria releasing toxins into the bloodstream. Symptoms include severe flu, high temperature, and aches. It's crucial to use the lowest absorbency tampon and maintain hygiene. Infections can occur with menstrual cups if bacteria are transferred from hands to the cup.
Gloria Achieng emphasizes that education and awareness are crucial in tackling period poverty. Including reusable pad-making in school curriculums and involving boys in the conversation can normalize periods and promote period equity.
Policy Advocacy and Period Equity
In Kenya, a senator's experience of staining her trouser suit in Parliament sparked online discussions about making period products free and destigmatizing menstruation. This reflects broader calls for governments to address the high cost of period products, especially compared to free items like condoms.
Conclusion
Reusable period products offer a viable solution to period poverty, particularly for those with limited income, provided they have access to the necessary materials and education. Addressing stigma, promoting menstrual hygiene education, and advocating for policy changes are essential steps towards achieving period equity and ensuring that menstruation does not hinder women's and girls' access to education, work, and overall well-being.
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