TW: This post discusses matters of violence and abuse.
For some, especially those from low-income communities, menstruation is more than an inconvenience, as the inability to manage it can have significant consequences. The lack of access to menstrual sanitation products and hygiene facilities such as toilets, sinks, etc. is a problem faced by many menstruators, especially those lacking financial means, and is termed as ‘period poverty’. This problem is not limited to just developing countries. The western countries heavily tax products like pads and tampons, which in themselves are rather highly priced, making them difficult to afford.
Period poverty can have a significant impact on a menstruator’s education. In addition to the often-unbearable pain, many menstruators worry about possible leakage and odor at all times in public settings (Mason et al., 2013). This leads to them not being able to fully engage in their education. This is a cause for concern in Canada, as well. A 2019 study by Plan Canada found that 68 percent of Canadian menstruators felt unable to fully participate in an activity due to their periods. More than half of these menstruators missed school, work, and other social activities as a result of their periods. For menstruators under 25, this rate was even higher, at a shocking 70 percent.
This inability to focus in school because of period poverty has economic consequences for the menstruators. Women with higher educations are more likely to participate in the formal labor market and have higher incomes (World Bank, 2020). If periods cause menstruators to not actively participate in school, as the previous statistics have indicated, it’s clear that periods can hurt menstruators not only physically, but financially as well. Furthermore, because of the stigma associated with periods, they are often excluded from social activities, religious activities, and travel outside their home, which has serious financial implications (Mohamed et al., 2018).
The lack of adequate earning capacity is made more serious because it can be linked to domestic abuse. An increasing number of women who have experienced violence have needs related to lack of income (Statistics Canada, 2006). The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that a significant number of menstruators who return to abusive relationships attribute financial instability as a contributing factor. Furthermore, the abuser in these relationships often has better economic and social standing and complete control over their partner.
This goes to show how period poverty has significant social and economical consequences, and as such, it is important to have an open conversation about this issue and push for change in the positive direction. Our partner organization, For The Menstruator, and our team at BOLT Safety Society would like to jointly encourage a continued conversation on this matter. We will be hosting a virtual discussion event this weekend on February 27th from 10 am - 11:30 am PST, featuring guest panelists with backgrounds in women’s health, and hope to see you there!
RSVP by February 25th to reserve your spot on this form.
Learn more about For The Menstruator on their Instagram @forthemenstruator
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency services (9-1-1), or learn about other options (like shelters and crisis lines) in the Safe Hubs category of this platform.
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hyperlink to form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8qqf6BrrCpUsb9BhW4d9xdO0CUZY0MPHbUc4dXuNUIIIpQw/viewform
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