Period Poverty: A Primer
May 28th was the tenth annual Menstrual Hygiene Day, signifying continued efforts to enhance global initiatives for menstrual care and education. The challenge of accessing sufficient menstrual products and hygiene facilities is a persistent global reality, and the degree of unmet needs varies worldwide. At minimum, 500 million menstruating individuals are unable to access adequate sanitation and period materials. The prevalence and consequences of period poverty disproportionately impacts low-income countries, especially during humanitarian crises, pandemics, and natural disasters. Nationally, compounding socioeconomic factors like income inequality, marginalized identities, and rising costs of living exacerbate this problem. Limited support programs, stigma, and a lack of awareness restrict the implementation of actionable solutions. To improve health outcomes on a global scale, the recognition and prioritization of menstrual inequity is paramount.
According to a 2023 public opinion research survey conducted on behalf of Women and Gender Equality Canada, 63% of participants have heard of the term “period poverty” but fewer than 40% are aware of what it encompasses. One in six Canadians who menstruate indicate that they have directly experienced inability to access menstrual products, a number that rises as reported household income decreases. One in five Canadians express concern that they may not be able to afford period products at some point in the next year as inflation raises the cost of food and housing. Menstruating people will spend an estimated $6,000 throughout their lifetime on menstrual supplies and until 2015, these products were taxed as non-essentials in Canada. Despite the high costs, many places maintain ongoing tax burdens on products necessary for an involuntary, biological process.
Most recognize how period poverty and income are related but few identify the increased vulnerability regarding the disparity of access to menstrual health. Marginalized groups including youth, racialized communities, gender-diverse individuals, people living with disabilities, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness, face additional barriers. The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters reports that controlling access to menstrual products can be a form of coercive control and many survivors fleeing domestic abuse arrive at shelters without essential supplies. For people living in rural communities, the cost of menstrual products can be up to 5 times more expensive than in urban centers. Indigenous people living in remote and non-remote spaces express difficulty in availability and affordability of products, and disproportionately face long-term clean water advisories. Individuals experiencing homelessness often lack consistent access to clean washrooms and menstrual products. Transgender and non-binary people who menstruate experience further challenges of safety and privacy regarding public washroom use, leading to hesitancy and avoidance. In lack of access, measures to manage menstruation can be detrimental to health. Prolonged usage of the same tampon is a risk factor for toxic shock syndrome, and the use of rags, toilet paper, or inadequate hygiene may result in increased susceptibility of urogenital infections, anxiety, and absenteeism from work and school. Sacrifices of health, comfort, and budget should not be the expectation for menstruating people.
If period poverty is understood predominantly as an issue of affordability and access, distribution of free products is a solution to spearhead. The Government of Canada recently launched the Menstrual Equity Fund pilot, led by Food Banks Canada, which aims to deliver over 74.5 million menstrual products to individuals in need. As of last December, access to free menstrual products is required at all federally regulated workplaces. The City of Calgary—working with the Calgary Public Library and Mayor’s Youth Council— has initiated the Free. Period. program, providing free products in select city and library facilities. Advocacy groups like No Period Without host donation drives and emphasize that menstrual products, like toilet paper, are essential items and should be available in public washrooms. We must recognize that stigma and education are further limitations in achieving menstrual equity. About one in four Canadians consider periods unclean and believe menstruation should not be publicly discussed. Limited menstrual health education perpetuates cycles of stigma and secrecy, and often neglects the health of transgender individuals. Comprehensive curriculum, targeted awareness campaigns, and dialogue with patients are essential to normalize and address diverse needs effectively.
Period poverty manifests in a myriad of ways worldwide, and necessitates dedicated and specific work beyond the scope of this introduction. The Global South faces significant challenges, many of which stem from the lasting impacts of colonialism. In regions like Gaza, war, displacement, and collapse of health infrastructure have resulted in unparalleled, devastating mental and physical health outcomes. Commitments to menstrual justice and feminist liberation must center the struggles of those in low-income countries, warzones, and refugee camps and emphasize unconditional access to water, sanitation, and healthcare. Period poverty is a global health crisis, requiring advocacy at all government levels, protective legislation, and international collaboration. For collective action to succeed, we must consciously tackle our limitations and frontline advocacy for the populations we serve.
