THE NEED FOR PERIOD EQUITY

THE NEED FOR PERIOD EQUITY

HAVE YOU HEARD OF PERIOD EQUITY BEFORE?

“Period equity” The most commonly recognized definition refers to the affordability, accessibility, and safety of menstrual products. But menstrual equity is not just defined by the aspect of menstrual products but also by those of education and reproductive care. 

Suppose, you are at your favourite holiday destination and suddenly you realize that you got your period, the fear of not having packed the menstrual hygiene product makes you feel anxious and exposed.

This is compounded by the fact that our society stigmatizes menstruation or perhaps anything that involves a uterus. Consequently, a taboo hangs over these discussions. This will worsen if you belong to about 22 million women living in poverty or even more than that. According to a report, about 64 % of women face difficulty in the accessibility of menstrual products and 21 % can't afford them every month. People who are refugees or victims of war are majorly facing the problem of basic needs such as menstrual products. This also depicts the ideology that still menstrual products are not considered basic.

 

PERIOD PRODUCTS ARE BASIC NEEDS NOT A SIGN OF LUXURY  

Menstruating is a basic fact of human existence. Menstrual hygiene products are necessities, not luxuries. Sadly, food stamps and subsidies under the WIC (women, infants, and children) program, that help with groceries, do not happen to cover menstrual products. 

Even in these contemporary times, women across the world are struggling to normalize their periods and the inevitability of their ill consequences.

 

PROTECTION FROM INFLAMMATION 

Due to the unavailability of period products, many women have to use toilet paper and tissue instead of pads or menstrual cups. This is much worse for those who have heavy periods. Also, this causes a financial burden as there is a need to change these frequently. If the life of these products is extended by using them for multiple hours altogether, they can wind up with vulvar irritation and vaginal discomfort.

They may also be at greater risk for the toxic syndrome, a life-threatening infection.

 

BE LOUD DURING PERIODS

Periods are not a stigma but a natural phenomenon. We need to address the stigma around menstruation in order to understand and face the challenges people face around access to menstrual hygiene products. Period poverty is real, and so should be the case with period equity.

Period products must not be taxed. Products that are reusable, such as menstrual cups or underwear, should be subsidized, and their use encouraged, to eliminate excess waste from individually wrapped pads and tampons. If these products are publicized promoted, and affordable, more women may opt for them. 

 

 CASE STUDY

There has been a growth in menstrual equity policy advancements in the U.S.A in recent years, with much of the new legislation prioritizing the needs of adolescent girls in schools. New York City, being a predecessor of this movement, was the first U.S.A. locality to pass such legislation in 2016. The aim of this case study was to better understand the various factors which led to the development, passage and initial implementation of New York City's Menstrual Equity in Schools Policy. Data collection methods included a desk review and qualitative assessment with several actors involved across the policy and introduction phases. Key findings included     

1) the utility of community narratives and a pilot project as a means for overcoming initial scepticism, proving the feasibility and generating support.

(2) the importance of policy champions for overcoming fiscal objections and navigating political discourse.

(3) lessons learned from early implementation efforts, including variance in awareness and distribution models.

This case study yields valuable insights into the practical considerations when designing or implementing policies aimed at tackling issues of menstrual equity within the school setting.

Schools have adopted the initiative of the availability of menstrual products.

Miss universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, a social entrepreneur of an NGO announced a coalition and social impact alliance to create a platform for ''menstrual equity''.

The project aims to reach five million women by 2025. As miss universe 2021, Sandhu said it will convert ''period poverty to period power''. 

 

Conclusion:

The importance of period equity must never go unacknowledged. Therefore, as a society, we all must come together and face the evils that prevent menstrual equity.

Witten by: 

Shreya Goswami,

(Content Associate).