Stigma of Period Poverty

DIGNITY FOR ALL!

- Syed Nabil Ahsan

Before we define period poverty, it is important to unearth the flaws which are rooted deep within the patriarchal society.

The stigmatised society has enclosed the women, young girls, and nonbinary individuals in a societal prison, in front of the sneering faces of financial pressure, cultural shame, and poor hygiene accessibility.

Menstruation is the normal vaginal bleeding where the uterus sheds its monthly buildup of tissue lining. Menstruation is a natural cycle triggered by hormonal changes and continues from a woman's/girl's first stage of puberty until the end of their fertility.

This is tinted with stains of cultural shame, where menstruating individuals are deemed as "impure" or "dirty", thus casting a shadow of taboo which has etched itself into society's walls.

This cultural shame has led to heightened problems for women and girls in society. In the face of cultural shame, women and girls are deprived of basic hygiene needs and are unable to even purchase sanitary pads.