Period poverty refers to inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, and it affects millions globally. According to UNICEF, about 1 in 3 girls in the Central African Republic miss out on daily activities due to periods.
In fact, lack of adequate menstrual hygiene products leads to increased absenteeism in not just rural areas but urban too. This is why it is our duty to donate feminine products.
Before we talk about the menstrual health awareness campaigns that have made a difference, let’s take a look at the impact of such projects:
Personal Stories of Beating the Stigma Around Periods
Maria’s Story
Brazilian teenager Maria always felt embarrassed to attend school when she was menstruating. Her makeshift fixes proved to be erratic, resulting in humiliating disclosures on a regular basis. Maria’s life was transformed by a community project that gave away free sanitary pads and menstruation cups.
Because these items were available, she could go to school without worrying about bleeding through her clothes. Maria’s self-esteem skyrocketed, and she started participating more in school events. She even joined the student council to push for more resources for her peers’ health and cleanliness.
Anita’s Story
Anita, who lived in a little Indian village, frequently got infections as a result of using filthy rags while she was menstruating. Anita was taught the value of using clean, sanitary napkins at a health camp in her village, where she also received period pads and lessons on menstrual hygiene.
Her health instantly improved after she started using the supplied sanitary napkins. In an effort to lower the frequency of infections and other health problems linked to improper menstrual practices, Anita now teaches other women in her community about menstrual hygiene.
Organizational Efforts Making a Difference
Numerous organizations around the world are dedicated to addressing period poverty and improving menstrual health through feminine hygiene product donations. Here are some notable efforts:
The Pad Project
The Pad Project became well-known thanks to the Academy Award-winning documentary “Period. End of Sentence.” This group is dedicated to promoting menstruation health education and cheap menstrual goods. In collaboration with the local community, they create pad-making microenterprises, giving women access to both products and employment possibilities.
Days for Girls
Days for Girls is a global organization that provides sustainable menstrual health solutions and education to women and girls in over 144 countries. They distribute reusable menstrual kits and offer health education to empower girls to manage their periods with dignity. Their efforts have significantly reduced absenteeism in schools and improved the overall well-being of countless women and girls.
Bloody Good Period
A UK-based charity called Bloody Good Period provides menstruation products to refugees, asylum seekers, and people in need. They function under the tenet that anyone in need of menstruation products should have free access to them. Bloody Good Period works with several groups and organizes feminine hygiene donation drives to make sure that no one has to struggle through their period without the necessary supplies.
Many organizations accept donations of sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and other hygiene products. Check with local shelters, food banks, and period poverty organizations to see how you can contribute. One such non-profit organization is the Utpat Foundation. Visit their website to know how you can contribute to the cause.