Words by Smiley Team
Period poverty is a global problem, where millions of young girls and women struggle to afford basic menstrual care. Some girls – said to be around one in 10 in the UK – often miss school as a result.
Plan International UK’s latest survey revealed more than a third of girls aged 14-21 in the UK struggled to afford or access period products during the pandemic – up a fifth on 2020. Half of these girls didn't have enough money to buy period products at all at some point during the pandemic, and three quarters of those had to use toilet paper as an alternative.
Elsewhere, in Kenya alone, approximately 50% of school-age girls don't have access to menstrual products, according to ActionAid UK, and in India, around 12% of its 355 million menstruating people can't afford menstrual products.
Some perspective may be useful, too. Plan International says in Colombia, a box of eight tapons costs the same as six bus ride. In Guatemala, a pack of 10 sanitary pads costs the same as three pounds of beans, which lasts a family of four for five days.
It's an expense some women and young girls simply can't afford.
[Read More: These women are leading the way to period equality]
The problem isn’t only with the cost of products, but also applies to women who don’t have access to hygienic facilities so they can manage their period with dignity. In fact, period poverty can have a far-reaching impact on females, as they may miss work, education, suffer mentally and physically, and feel ashamed.
Plan International UK says period poverty is driven by a ‘toxic trio’ of issues, which also includes a lack of education and the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.
Thankfully, there are period poverty charities, campaigners, organisations, and groups fighting to eradicate this problem – in the UK and the rest of the world. Here, we speak to charities about the work they’re doing and how people can join the fight.
ActionAid UK is a charity that works in many of the world’s poorest countries, providing training on how to make reusable sanitary pads, which are affordable and sustainable. It also supports girls' clubs – where girls learn about their bodies, menstruation and health, build confidence and come together to advocate for their rights.
“We support girls' rooms in schools, which provide a safe, private space and access to products, helping girls manage their periods freely and without shame,” a spokesperson tells Smiley News.
In humanitarian crises, ActionAid distributes kits containing menstrual products, soap and clean underwear, so women, girls and people who menstruate can manage their periods safely and with dignity. And the charity is also working with local communities to end the practice of chhaupadi – a period-shaming tradition in Nepal – for good.
[Read More: The charity helping period poverty]
As part of Plan International UK’s coronavirus response, the charity is reaching girls with 'vital dignity kits' so they can manage their periods the way they choose. “In Zimbabwe for example, period poverty has surged during the pandemic, with period products becoming more expensive or harder to get hold of,” a spokesperson tells us.
“In response, Plan International developed a programme that teaches girls and young women how to make reusable sanitary pads, which they can use themselves, give to their family and friends, or sell to earn additional income.”
A lack of adequate facilities can place restrictions on girls’ movements during their period and contribute to girls skipping school, says the charity. “Through child sponsorship and our global programmes, Plan International is building girl-friendly toilets in schools and communities around the world to ensure girls can make the most out of their education, including during their period.”
The charity also works on tackling the myths and stigma that often exists about periods, and has successfully campaigned for a period emoji and a change to the Relationships and Sex Education curriculum in the UK, to make sure girls have the knowledge they need about healthy periods and how to manage them with dignity.
[Read More: 'Hey Girls' is tackling period poverty]
Businesses are getting on board, too. In 2021, Lidl became the first major retailer in the world to offer free period products. It announced it would offer free tampons across its Irish stores to help combat period poverty. Those seeking access to menstrual products can sign up for their free monthly coupon using the supermarket’s app, Lidl Plus.
The voucher can then be exchanged for a free box of sanitary pads of tampons. More than 20,000 people registered to access these products in the first week.
Speak about period poverty, make sure people know what it is, and support the charities who are helping to end it.
“Everyone can play a role in breaking the taboo that often exists around periods by speaking openly and without shame about menstrual health,” says Plan International UK.
You can donate to ActionAid’s ‘Share A Better Period’ campaign. Making a monthly donation could help women, girls and people who menstruate have the products they need every single month. Or, you can give a one-off donation to help the charity continue the work they’re doing to end period poverty.
You can also support Plan International UK’s coronavirus response, which includes the provision of dignity kits to enable girls to manage their period with dignity, or support a child and their community by starting a sponsorship journey.
Find out more about ActionAid’s work here and Plan International’s period poverty campaigning here.
