The taboo surrounding the topic of menstruation has made it very difficult for many people to get accurate information about it. More than just myths and misconceptions getting in the way of actual facts, little girls are taught from a very young age to not talk about periods. But, hey! Periods are completely normal, healthy and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! In lay language, it means that your body put on a “decoration” for a baby that never arrived and it is now getting rid of it. To further educate people on the subject, the Front Page Initiative has prepared an informative piece on period safety!
The first misconception to be discussed is the highly spread belief that only women menstruate. In reality, transgender men and some nonbinary people also do, and they have the right to get access to period products just as much as cisgender women do. In fact, on the topic of period poverty and accessibility, another commonly unknown fact is that period products are actually a human right. “In times of global crises, such as the [COVID-19] pandemic, it is critical to ensure that menstruating people continue to have access to the facilities, products and information they need to protect their dignity, health and well-being. Decision-makers must assure these essential menstrual health items remain available.”, said the United Nations Population Fund.
Accessible period supplies — such as pads, tampons, cloths, pain relievers, underwear and soap — are vital not only to maintain the wellbeing of menstruating people but also to ensure their good health. Try to deal with period blood and cramps without any one of those and one will find the hardship almost unbearable. Unfortunately, that is the case for many people in underprivileged communities all around the globe. Take India as an example. Out of almost 663 million women there, only 12% have access to sanitary products. Globally, over 500 million girls and women face the challenges that come with period poverty. According to HealthyWomen, “period poverty is also linked to anxiety, depression and feelings of embarrassment.” The struggle, considering that the average menstruating person spends about 7 years in total on their period, seems insurmountable.
Hope mustn't be lost, though! Many initiatives have been created throughout the years by people from all over the planet to decrease and, eventually, extinguish menstrual stigma and period poverty. Nadya Okamoto is a great example. At only 23 years of age, the Harvard graduate is already the founder and former executive director of the non-profit organization Period Inc., which distributes menstrual hygiene products and advocates for ending what is known as the tampon tax. She is also the writer of “Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement” and uses her social media platforms to speak up about the matter. And she’s not alone! The hashtag #periodpositive, for one, has over 218K posts and is being used by thousands of people to raise awareness and spread information and show positivity over the matter of menstruation!
It is about time we stand up for what’s important and actively fight ignorance and misinformation over the topic of periods. Only with proper education, state participation and financial support can we finally overcome period poverty and assure proper menstruation safety for everyone! If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, we’ve included a few recommendations of great articles you can educate yourself with!
Resources
“Menstruation and human rights - frequently asked questions” by the United Nations Population Fund
“The chemistry of period blood” by Elvi Calsia from The Chatty Gal blog
“Normal period” by Danny Bonvissuto from WebMD
“Menstrual equity movement spotlights period inequality” by The Feminist Majority Foundation
Published October 11, 2021
Written by Isabela Lico ~ Edited by Clara Ngume-Sone ~ Graphics by Tanya Gu
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