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Period poverty
For millions of girls and women in developing countries, a period means missed school, unsafe alternatives and shame. It doesn't have to.
Some women don't even have the luxury of a sanitary towel.
Period poverty is widespread in many countries, including:
- India
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Nigeria
- South Sudan
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Afghanistan
A selection, not a complete list — period poverty exists in every country, including wealthy ones.
- women and girls worldwide lack what they need to manage their periods (World Bank)
- 500M+
- women and girls worldwide lack what they need to manage their periods (World Bank)
- girls in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to miss school during their period (UNESCO)
- 1 in 10
- girls in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to miss school during their period (UNESCO)
- have no private toilet, clean water or soap at school or work (WHO/UNICEF JMP)
- Millions
- have no private toilet, clean water or soap at school or work (WHO/UNICEF JMP)
What is period poverty?
Period poverty means not being able to afford or access menstrual products, clean water, private toilets, pain relief or basic education about the cycle. It is most severe in low-income countries, but it exists everywhere.
Missing school, missing out
When girls have no pads or safe toilets, many stay home during their period. Missed days add up, grades fall and some drop out entirely — limiting their income and choices for life.
Unsafe alternatives
Without products, people use rags, leaves, mud, newspaper or reused cloth they can't wash or dry properly. This can cause discomfort, infections and deep embarrassment.
Silence and stigma
In some communities, menstruating girls are kept from cooking, worship or even their own homes. In Nepal, the banned practice of chhaupadi still sends some girls to sleep in huts during their period. Stigma keeps the problem hidden.
What works
Free or subsidised products in schools, clean and private toilets, menstrual education for boys and girls, and removing taxes on pads. Countries such as Kenya and Scotland have already shown that public provision is possible.
Petition
Free menstrual products for every girl and woman
To local governments everywhere: we call on you to provide free pads, tampons and menstrual cups in schools, health centres and public toilets, alongside clean water, private toilets and period education for all children.
—signatures so far