When we think of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness are frequently in our minds. The fact of the matter is that many people are often too ashamed or embarrassed to discuss their menstrual cycles, and the fact that they are unable to afford items like tampons and pads is something we don’t usually give much thought to. Period poverty affects 40 million women and girls worldwide, and there must be an end to the silence on the matter. We want to spread the word that safe menstrual products should be a fundamental right for everyone, not a privilege for a selected few.
Women all over the world are being held back in life and even put in danger because of their period. Hygienic menstrual products are unavailable to millions of people worldwide. However, affordability is only one aspect of period poverty. Due to stigma, superstition, or religious dogma regarding menstruation, many women and girls do not have access to sanitary facilities or feel unable to manage their periods in a dignified manner. They are unable to leave their homes, attend school, or work because sanitary products are either unavailable or unaffordable. Women should never be made to feel like they are dirty or made to miss a week of school because they can’t afford to buy sanitary products.
What Exactly Happens Due To Poor Menstrual Hygiene?
We frequently hear that improper period hygiene and disposal practices can have a significant impact on women’s health; however, what exactly is at risk here? If a woman does not have access to menstrual hygiene products, there are diseases that could result. This information should be made available to all people. A woman’s risk of contracting cervical cancer, reproductive tract infections, hepatitis B, various yeast infections, and urinary tract infections are just a few examples. Menstrual hygiene poses additional challenges for women with disabilities and special needs. The lack of toilets with water and supplies to manage their periods has a disproportionate impact on them. We are committed to the mission of providing low-income women with the tools and information they need to control their periods.
The cost of sanitary pads makes them unaffordable for many low-income households, and in some instances, women are unaware of their existence. Periodic poverty affects millions of people in developed and developing nations, but low-income communities are disproportionately affected. 12.8% of women and girls worldwide struggle to access the resources they need to control their periods and live in poverty. In Nepal and Afghanistan, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 30% of girls skip school during their periods. After puberty, more than 20% of girls in India drop out of school completely, and in some parts of India, this percentage is closer to 4 out of 5 girls.
One in five girls in the United States skip school due to a lack of access to menstrual products, according to a survey. Some students are severely disadvantaged by this lack of sanitary products, which ultimately results in an unfair learning environment. In an effort to end period poverty, we are donating organic, biodegradable, and eco-friendly jute pads to underprivileged women. Participate in this mission and assist us in assisting women worldwide.
Menstruation And Impact On Education
Menstruation can have a significant impact on the education of girls and women. Many girls in developing countries miss school during their menstrual cycle because of a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and cultural taboos around menstruation. This can lead to a significant loss of learning opportunities, lower educational attainment, and lower lifetime earning potential. In addition, the stigma and shame associated with menstruation can lead to negative self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, further impacting girls’ ability to perform well in school.
Girls’ education can be greatly affected by their periods and menstruation. Girls may be denied access to education and face extreme bullying and gender-based violence in and around schools due to period poverty and stigma. To address this issue, it is essential to provide girls with access to menstrual hygiene products, education on menstrual health, and safe and private sanitation facilities. Menstrual products should be considered a human right rather than a privilege. We are not prioritizing a girl’s education when she is absent from school due to her period. Girls may find it difficult to attend school during their periods if they do not have access to sanitary facilities and products.
UNICEF estimates, based on surveys conducted in nearly 50 least developed or low-income countries, that only 51% of schools have adequate water sources and 45% have adequate sanitation facilities. Additionally, a recent study of schoolgirls in Kenya revealed that some girls engage in transactional sex in order to pay for sanitary towels and attend school. Education and academics could benefit from improved access to menstrual care. Break the taboo surrounding menstruation and demand eco-friendly and healthy menstrual products to make a difference.
Eco-Friendly Sanitary Pads to End Period Poverty
In addition to focusing on the problem of period poverty, we are working to cut down on the amount of plastic used in regular sanitary product production. If many people follow the Jute pad example, it could save the planet a lot of trouble. They will only be made of jute plant fiber, and the antibacterial layer will be made of jute fiber treated with polyphenols taken from plants. We must openly discuss menstruation in order to normalize issues related to periods, dispel myths, end the stigma associated with menstruation, and make menstrual health and period products accessible to all while also protecting the environment.
Please donate as much as you can so that we can produce more jute pads. Participate in campaigns to combat period poverty and share information. Because, ultimately, having access to eco-friendly, safe, and reasonably priced menstrual products provides more than just comfort.
For more information, visit https://ppoverty.org/the-jute-pad/