What is period poverty?

By: Amy Zhao, NJ Director of Finances and Social Media

According to the National Library of Medicine, period poverty is the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products during a woman’s monthly period. These products include pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. This term also refers to a lack of education necessary to use period products. One of the leading factors that contribute to this issue is the negative stigma surrounding menstrual health and periods, resulting in a lack of support or education for women regarding menstrual health. This stigma can also make women feel insecure about the menstrual process and less likely to seek out the support they need. 

According to UNESCO’S 2013 Global Education Monitoring Report, around 10% of female youth miss school during their period due to lack of access to menstrual health resources. Furthermore, period poverty results in not only social consequences, but also physical health problems, such as infections or reproductive tract infections, which can be life threatening. 

The pink tax also plays an important role in this, which is the idea that health products marketed towards women are substantially more expensive than similar products marketed towards men. Studies have shown that 19% of students who menstruate feel the need to decide between buying groceries or menstrual products each month. These issues, along with several others, all have a significant impact on the menstrual health and overall well-being of women globally.

It is crucial that, to fully and effectively address this issue, we must eliminate the stigma surrounding menstrual health, ensure equitable access to period products and education, and advocate to prioritize menstrual health as a basic human right.