Breaking the Cycle

Period poverty impacts health, education, and equality for girls and women.

Around the world, millions of girls and women face a monthly challenge that goes far beyond discomfort—living without access to safe, affordable sanitary products. This issue, often referred to as period poverty, affects not only personal hygiene but also education, work, and mental well-being.

Without proper menstrual supplies, many are forced to use unsafe alternatives such as cloth scraps, paper, or even leaves, which can lead to infections and long-term health complications. For girls in school, the lack of menstrual products and privacy can result in missed classes, reduced confidence, and, in some cases, dropping out altogether. The consequences ripple outward, limiting opportunities and reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality.

Stigma and silence around menstruation deepen the problem. In some communities, menstruation is treated as taboo, making it difficult for women and girls to seek help or advocate for better resources.

Addressing this issue requires more than just providing pads—it means ensuring education, breaking taboos, and supporting policies that make menstrual health a right, not a privilege.

When girls and women have access to the products and information they need, they gain more than comfort—they gain dignity, opportunity, and equality.