Period Poverty from a Public Health and Legislative Perspective

Simranjot Mann () and Sharon K. Byrne
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Simranjot Mann: The College of New Jersey, The School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA
Sharon K. Byrne: The College of New Jersey, The School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: Period poverty is a global issue that needs to be addressed as a public health crisis. It is directly related to Sustainable Health Goals three, four, five, six, and eight. Period poverty adversely affects the health of anyone capable of menstruating, which is nearly half of the world population, at the physiological, emotional, and psychosocial level. Biases, cultural beliefs, ethical reproductive justice issues, social stigma, and systemic factors contribute to period poverty. Every month, certain menstruators are disproportionately impacted by period poverty and struggle to access basic hygienic necessities. Important stakeholders include not only the individual who experiences menses but also educators and school systems, healthcare professionals, policymakers, public health officials, and researchers. Everyone has a role in addressing period poverty by voting for officials that proactively support legislation, policy, and programs at all levels to effectively advocate for menstrual equity and address barriers contributing to period poverty. This includes policies that increase access to menstrual hygiene products, safe menstrual management methods, and reproductive and women’s health education. Programs globally that focus on capacity building and sustainability strategies can be used as models to reduce period poverty, thereby fostering a sense of empowerment and menstruators’ sense of autonomy, dignity, and equality.

Keywords: period poverty; public health crisis; reproductive justice; policy; legislation; menstruation equity; menstruation management; menstruation hygiene; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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