Period poverty persists as a global issue that demands immediate attention and action to eradicate this societal challenge. On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, which falls on May 28, it is crucial to reflect on the ten years of concerted efforts by women and girls worldwide to combat period poverty. The discourse around menstruation needs to be normalized and destigmatized, and concrete steps must be taken to eliminate the barriers that hinder access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.

Menstruation, a natural biological process, affects over two billion individuals globally every month. However, for many women and girls, particularly those facing economic hardships, menstruation becomes a source of distress and inequality. The inability to afford or access essential menstrual products and hygiene facilities often leads to dire consequences, impeding the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls. The lack of education and awareness further exacerbates the challenges surrounding menstrual health and hygiene, perpetuating the cycle of period poverty.

One of the most significant impacts of period poverty is its adverse effect on the education of girls and young women. Across various countries, girls are forced to miss school days due to insufficient resources to manage their menstrual health effectively. In the United Kingdom, for instance, approximately two million girls aged 14-21 miss school days each term because of their periods. Similarly, in the Gambia, girls may skip school for up to five days monthly due to the unavailability of menstrual products and sanitary facilities, leading to a significant loss of learning opportunities. The repercussions of period poverty extend beyond education, pushing girls into early marriages, exposing them to sexual abuse, and increasing the risk of harmful practices like female genital mutilation.

Addressing period poverty is not only a moral imperative but also a policy and budgetary issue that demands immediate action. By making menstrual products affordable or free, ensuring access to safe sanitation facilities in schools and workplaces, and challenging societal taboos, we can effectively combat period poverty. Countries like Scotland, Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana have taken progressive steps by providing free menstrual products, removing taxes on sanitary items, and integrating menstrual hygiene management into national policies.

To end period poverty globally, it is essential to support advocacy initiatives aimed at eliminating taxes on menstrual products, empower women and girl-led movements dedicated to fighting period poverty, enhance data collection on menstrual health, incorporate menstrual hygiene education into school curriculums, and engage in open conversations to raise awareness and dispel myths surrounding menstruation. The collective effort to create a #PeriodFriendlyWorld requires a multifaceted approach involving governments, civil society, and individuals to ensure menstrual health and hygiene are prioritized and accessible to all, irrespective of gender.