What is Period Poverty?
You probably hear the term period poverty more lately and it has become a real issue within the world. Many have experienced it and are unaware of it; experiencing period poverty is as simple as not having available access or funds to afford menstrual products even if it's only once. Girlish Social Mission's goal is to promote education about period poverty and menstrual issues. Within this blog, we provide valuable information about period poverty, unknown facts, and ways to join the movement against period poverty.
All About Period Poverty:
Period Poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these.
Menstrual cycles have always been a part of a menstruator's biological make-up for generations and generations. Menstrual products were invented not for luxury but out of necessity; the lack of access low-income menstruators face is a burden they should not have to deal with.
Menstrual cycles have always been a part of a menstruator's biological make-up for generations and generations. Menstrual products were invented not for luxury but out of necessity; the lack of access low-income menstruators face is a burden they should not have to deal with.
Not So Fun Facts:
- Globally, an estimated 500 million people who menstruate lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities.
- In the U.S., there are approximately 16.9 million people who experience periods living in poverty.
- Research shows that 2/3 of women in the United States with a low income can't afford menstrual products.
- Out of the 16.9 million menstruators in the U.S., 14.2% had experienced period poverty in the past year. An additional 10.0% experienced it every month, based on a study involving college-aged individuals who menstruate.
- Research shows that 68.1% of menstruators who experienced period poverty had symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression. They also had higher rates of depression than the participants who did not experience period poverty.
You can join Girlish Social Mission (GSM) in our Period Positive Initiative to help end period poverty by; gifting your funds online, giving your time as a volunteer, donating menstrual products to create menstruation stations in local schools, becoming a partner with GSM to spread the cause, educating others by sharing our website and social platforms, and more!
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