In over 5.6 million Filipino families living in poverty recorded as of 2022, women, menstruators, and future menstruators struggle to afford menstrual products.
What is period poverty?
Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products and facilities, waste management, and education.
May 20-28 is Period Poverty Awareness Week. It seeks to draw attention and help menstruators gain access to their basic needs as women.
Period poverty in the Philippines
A study by UNICEF and Emory College in the Masbate province found that so many Filipina women and young girls suffer from period poverty due to:
- Inadequate wash facilities in school
- Lack of knowledge and support for girls on menstruation, plus misinformation due to traditional beliefs and myths
- Lack of access to menstrual products due to finance and/or availability in the area
Period poverty leads to the hindering of education and daily activities for young girls. For women, it can mean missing work and opportunities for growth.
How Filipinos in period poverty manage their menstruation
- Free bleeding: allowing bleeding without using any menstrual products
- Usage of anything that can seep or absorb blood, such as old cloths, rags, socks, newspapers, or even a cardboard box
How can we empower those affected by period poverty?
- Open conversations about menstruation without shame or fear
- Share and donate menstrual products
- Educate yourself and others on menstrual health and hygiene
- Support and advocate for menstrual hygiene initiatives and programs
Help a girl out: pledge a pad with Nala Woman
Nala Woman works with partner organizations, from university organizations to NGOs, to collect and distribute eco-friendly sanitary napkins every month to schools, orphanages, and women’s shelters around the Philippines.
Spare Php 100 to Pledge a Pad to donate a pad to a girl in need.
Your support ensures that every woman and girl has access to menstrual hygiene products.
Educate yourself on menstrual and overall women’s health
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Initiate and support menstrual health initiatives in your environments
The Hati Menstrual Health Program aims to help and care for female employees in the workplace by promoting women's health accessibility in the workplace through employer-provided initiatives such as a menstrual products vending machine, menstrual health education, and more.
Encourage your employer to foster an inclusive workforce by supporting women's health in the workplace.
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Hati Health is a digital platform for women, providing on-demand access to products and services, including telehealth, symptom checking, holistic wellness plans, and education.
We believe that being able to talk openly about women's healthcare and bringing appropriate solutions will inspire women to achieve their fullest potential in their personal and professional lives.
