Every month, nearly half the world bleeds. Yet for millions, this natural process becomes a reason for shame, exclusion, and lost opportunities. Along with the stigma attached to periods, another critical issue arising for millions is the issue of period poverty- the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education. Despite menstruation being a natural biological process, societal taboos, economic barriers and inadequate infrastructure prevents  many from managing their periods safely and with dignity. The implications extend beyond the personal disadvantages women face, directly impacting their education, relationships, health, economic opportunities, and societal status- making menstruation a critical human rights issue 

In certain cultures, there can be a shame associated with ‘impurity’, causing many women to lack the necessary access to basic hygiene. There can be a perception that it is a taboo topic to talk about, let alone seek much needed support. causes many women to lack access to hygiene facilities because of the problem even taboo to talk about- let alone act on Additionally, over 1.5 billion people still lack basic sanitation services, such as private toilets.This shortage forces many to resort to unhygienic alternatives which risk infections. This is further aggravated by the overall lack of education and misconseptions associated with menstrual health. For millions of girls, their first period is not just a biological change, but the beginning of missed school days, shame, and silence. Because of a lack of safe and clean facilities, many women and girls are forced to the confines of the four walls of their home- which further widens the gender disparity gap in education and in the workplace. 

In India, a lack of education can create communities where women are perceived as a disadvantage, and associated cultural myths often limit women from reaching their full potential. over 23 million girls in India who drop out of school each year due to the lack of proper menstrual hygiene facilities – often as a result of feeling embarrassed or unable to ask for help.Shame and silence mean girls often go years without seeking help. Nearly 500 million women lack access to menstrual products therefore reducing the ability for women to access proper healthcare and education facilities. The lack of accurate information often creates misconceptions and negative attitudes. This can lead to further marginalisation of women and even gender based violence and cultural acceptance of child marriage. It is also vital to remember that period poverty does not affect all women equally. Women from rural areas, marginalised or refugee communities, and low income families, are often impacted to a much greater extent.

Furthermore, there are serious health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene, that are often neglected. These include urinary tract and reproductive infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and infertility. Because of the high cost of menstrual hygiene products, communities may not have access to sanitary pads and resorting to using cheaper and less hygienic products further perpetuates period poverty.

This also ties into the theme of a “Pink Tax” which refers to the price discrimination on products and services marketed towards women, in comparison to those specifically for men. This economic gender inequality is a form of discrimination, born out of traditional patriarchal traditions and norms that still exist today. In July 2025 Vidhi Legal, a think tank in India published a statistic on how women globally earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and at the current pace, it could take another 134 years to bridge this gap. While in India there has been increased legal advocacy, no such law currently exists to address the current ‘pink tax’ problem. But at the same time, there are some countries like Scotland who have made sanitary pads and other period products free, through the Period Product Act. This shows how there are solutions and means to combat gender inequality.

Therefore, in order to effectively address period poverty, states must prioritise menstrual health as a human rights issue, due to its impact on half of the global population. The first step would be to recognise the socio-economic barriers which currently exist. Legal reforms, and increased awareness and education to eradicate societal stigma, would lead to collective change and a step in the right direction for gender equality. Through prioritising the idea that everyone has the right to safe and affordable access to menstrual hygiene, increased equity can be achieved.

Written by Pia Marwah, a journalist at The Woodstocker.

Edited by Trishana Panchagatti and Priyanshi Poddar, Co-editors in cheif at The Woodstocker.

Works Cited

Bendix, Aria, and Joe Murphy. “States Have Been Eliminating Taxes on Period Products for Years. Here’s Where You’ll Still Pay Them.” NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024, http://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/where-tampons-pads-period-products-are-taxed-map-rcna132874.

July, 28. “Period Poverty – Why Millions of Girls and Women Cannot Afford Their Periods.” UN Women – Headquarters, http://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/05/period-poverty-why-millions-of-girls-and-women-cannot-afford-their-periods. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.

Michel, Janet, et al. “Period Poverty: Why It Should Be Everybody’s Business.” Journal of Global Health Reports, vol. 6, 2022, p. e2022009, doi:10.29392/001c.32436.

World Bank Group. Menstrual Health and Hygiene. World Bank Group, 2025.

Varthana.com, varthana.com/school/period-poverty-impact-on-school-girls-education-india. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.