Period Poverty; Why it should be everyone’s concern!
We often hear the term period poverty but what does it really mean? Period poverty is the inability to afford or access menstrual products, hygiene facilities, education, and awareness needed to manage menstrual health. 800 million people menstruate every day, and periods do not stop during pandemics. Pandemics and other life situations lead to loneliness, period poverty too also does lead to loneliness. Because of this, it is a two-edged sword, and period poverty must be addressed immediately. Period poverty results in emotional, mental, and bodily suffering. People are also discouraged from discussing periods because of the stigma associated with them. Period Poverty is not just about products; stigma, misinformation, and lack of education also fuel this challenge. Period poverty continues to be a worldwide public health concern, impacting women and girls disproportionately, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. In rural Africa, many vulnerable women face financial barriers, and the World Bank notes that 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their periods. Millions of women and girls around the world continue to struggle to afford menstrual products or access clean water and sanitation. Periods cause women to miss school and work, as well as have a detrimental influence on their health. This often leads to school dropouts or reliance on unsafe alternatives that can cause infections and even infertility. This does not have to be the case.
Period poverty extends beyond lacking pads. The absence of private, clean toilets and washrooms with running water and soap prevents individuals from maintaining hygiene and privacy during their period, forcing them to miss school or work. Many individuals, including in Rwanda, lack adequate health and menstrual hygiene education. This lack of information leaves them unprepared for their first period and unable to manage it hygienically. A lack of appropriate facilities for disposing of used menstrual products also contributes to period poverty. These factors create barriers to education and work for millions of girls and women, impacting their health, dignity, and overall opportunities. 500 million people globally lack menstrual facilities, and 25% of menstruating females face period poverty. The impact in Africa is often more severe due to widespread lack of access to products, private facilities, and misinformation, leading to outcomes like transactional sex for products. A study in Rwanda estimated that girls in Rwanda often miss 50 days of school per year due to period poverty. Cultural myths and misconceptions frequently sustain silence and embarrassment regarding menstruation, preventing individuals from seeking assistance or maintaining proper menstrual hygiene.
Period poverty in Africa deeply affects women and girls’ education, health, economic stability, and overall social well-being. It is driven by the high costs of menstrual products, limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, cultural stigma, and the lack of adequate menstrual health education. Together, these barriers create a cycle of inequality where girls and women are held back from reaching their full potential. For many, something as natural as menstruation becomes a source of shame, isolation, and missed opportunities.
The educational impact of period poverty is profound. Without access to affordable pads or private toilets at school, girls frequently miss classes during their periods. Research shows that in some African countries, girls can lose up to a month of instruction each year. These absences often lead to academic underperformance, as students struggle to catch up with their peers. Over time, repeated absences and poor performance push many girls out of school altogether. Beyond academics, the psychological toll is heavy. The fear of staining uniforms or facing ridicule makes girls anxious in class. In extreme cases, humiliation has led to tragic outcomes—such as the Kenyan girl who took her life after being publicly shamed by her teacher. Period poverty therefore not only blocks access to education but also erodes confidence, dignity, and safety, which are essential for a girl’s future success.
The health risks tied to period poverty are equally severe. When safe, reliable products are not available, women and girls are forced to improvise with unhygienic alternatives such as rags, newspaper, leaves, or cotton wool. These makeshift materials often cause painful infections, which can escalate into serious reproductive health issues like infertility. In many cases, there is also limited access to pain relief for cramps or menstrual discomfort, leaving girls in unnecessary suffering. The danger is worse in refugee camps or informal settlements, where inadequate toilet facilities put girls at risk of assault when they must change at night. This lack of safety highlights how period poverty is not only a health issue but also a human rights concern. When menstruation leaves girls vulnerable to both physical harm and psychological stress, it undermines their ability to live healthy, dignified lives.
The economic consequences of period poverty ripple into households and communities. For women who cannot manage their periods with dignity, workplace participation becomes difficult, reducing both productivity and income potential. Families already living in poverty face additional financial strain, as menstrual products are often too costly to prioritize over essentials like food. In Ghana, studies have shown that women earning minimum wage must spend a large share of their income on sanitary pads—an impossible burden for many. These challenges force some schoolgirls in Kenya to turn to transactional sex to afford pads, exposing them to sexual violence and HIV. Beyond finances, the stigma of menstruation also takes a toll on mental health. Shame, isolation, and cultural taboos cause many girls to internalize feelings of impurity, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Such effects reinforce harmful gender norms and deepen inequality.
Period poverty does not occur in isolation; it is worsened by crises such as armed conflict, displacement, or pandemics like COVID-19. Disrupted supply chains and economic hardship make menstrual products even harder to obtain. In humanitarian emergencies, menstrual health often becomes a low priority compared to food or shelter, leaving women to suffer in silence. The wider implications are significant: period poverty fuels persistent inequality, blocking progress toward global goals on education, gender equality, and health. By silencing women and girls, it undermines entire communities and economies. Ending period poverty is therefore not just a matter of dignity but of justice. Solutions like affordable, reusable pads and comprehensive menstrual education have the power to break the cycle and build a future where girls and women thrive without being held back by their biology.
Period poverty continues to limit the education, health, and opportunities of millions of women and girls across Africa. It is more than just a lack of pads it is a social justice issue fueled by stigma, inequality, and systemic barriers. Addressing it requires affordable products, better education, and stronger advocacy for menstrual health as a human right. At Kosmotive, we believe in turning challenges into solutions. That’s why we manufacture KosmoPads; a reusable, affordable, and eco-friendly menstrual product. Unlike disposable pads that generate waste and harm the environment, KosmoPads can be washed, reused, and last for months, making them both sustainable and cost-effective. They not only ensure comfort and dignity for women and girls but also contribute to protecting the planet.
