What is Menstruation?
Menstruation -also known as a menstrual period is normal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle. It involves the shedding of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) along with the remnants of an unfertilized egg.
But what does menstruation have to do with poverty?
Understanding Period Poverty
Period poverty on the other hand refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual hygiene facilities, waste management systems and menstruation related- education. This phenomenon affects millions of women and girls globally- leading to a range of consequences such various health issues, missed school or workdays and increased vulnerability to harmful practices like early marriage or Female Genital Mutilation.
The emotional and psychological impact of period poverty is equally significant. Shame, anxiety and depression are common experiences among those who cannot manage menstruation with dignity.
What causes Period Poverty?
- Menstruating is not free.
While menstruation is a natural and biological occurrence happening in girls and women aged between 10 and 45, menstruating with dignity has a price tag attached to it.
Menstrual products such as disposable and reusable pads, tampons and menstrual cups are essential. However, in most countries, these items are not freely available. In fact, many are subject to the so called “pink tax” where products marketed to women are charged a higher price than those targeted to men.
In Uganda, the most commonly used menstrual products are disposable pads. Their average cost is between 3,000 to 3,5000 UGX per packet. Often times, a girl would need more than just one packet of disposable pads while on their period.
For many families in rural communities, this is just too high a price to pay. Families that live off between 3,000 and 5,000 UGX per day are forced to choose between eating and allowing girls and women to menstruate with dignity. Undoubtedly an impossible decision to make with many adverse consequences.
It is no wonder that girls and women in these communities are often the victims of negative attitudes about menstruation. It is seen as a burden more than a natural function. More than an inconvenience, this natural, biological and even necessary occurrence can prove life threatening when it causes many families to go without food for several days.
Additionally, women and girls do not have a universal experience with menstruation. While some women experience light and manageable periods, many suffer from severe symptoms- cramps, headaches, backaches and joint pain requiring medication or medical attention.
Furthermore, other health challenges may become apparent due to hormonal and other body changes. For example, one might experience spotting ( abnormal bleeding that occurs in between menstrual periods) and would have to seek medical advice on the matter. Unfortunately, free medical care is not a reality in many countries around the world including Uganda.
Families and individuals that can barely afford food and cannot afford sanitary products and other basic medical supplies certainly cannot afford the cost of consultations and treatments on reproductive health issues.
As a result, many of these go unchecked and untreated resulting in much more complex health issues at a later stage including chronic illnesses and infertility.
- 2. Poor sanitation and hygiene
Beyond the lack of access to menstrual products, period poverty also includes the lack of access to clean water, toilets and other sanitary facilities. According to World Bank estimates, at least 500 million women and girls around the world lack access to the proper facilities they need to manage their periods.
Around 1.25 billion women and girls do not have access to a safe and private toilet, and 526 million do not have a toilet at all.
In Uganda, poor sanitation infrastructure further compounds the problem. Without access to safe toilets or clean water, many girls and women resort to unhygienic practices, increasing their risk of infections and other health issues.
These conditions have ripple effects. Girls miss several days of school each month due to a lack of proper menstrual care, which significantly impacts their education and future opportunities. This educational gap widens gender disparities, diminishes the country’s future workforce, and ultimately hinders national development, economically and otherwise.
Worse still, these vulnerabilities increase the likelihood of harmful practices like early marriage. Girls may be married off as a means of reducing financial burden, which can result in early pregnancies, larger families, and continued cycles of poverty—both for individuals and communities.
3. The Policy Gap
While period poverty is a public health and human rights issue, it is often underprioritized in policymaking. Uganda has yet to implement consistent nationwide policies that ensure access to affordable or free menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and health facilities. Budgetary allocations for menstrual health are minimal or absent, and there is little enforcement of existing standards around school sanitation and hygiene.
A lack of political will and persistent taboos around menstruation contribute to this gap. Until menstruation is seen not just as a “women’s issue” but as a national development priority, these challenges will persist.
In conclusion, period poverty is not just a health issue—it’s a barrier to education, dignity, gender equality, and national development. Addressing it requires a multi-sectoral approach that includes better policies, improved infrastructure, education, and community-based empowerment. No girl should have to choose between menstruating with dignity and eating. In an equitable society, managing menstruation should be a right and not a privilege.