Menstrual Equity for All: Why Period Poverty Is a Community Problem

Every month, millions of girls and women experience menstruation, yet for many, a period still comes with anxiety, embarrassment and difficult choices. For a girl who cannot afford menstrual products, has limited access to clean water and private sanitation, or has never received accurate information about menstruation, a normal biological process can become a barrier to dignity, education and participation in everyday life. Menstrual equity means more than simply providing sanitary pads. It means creating an environment where girls and women can manage menstruation safely, confidently and without shame. It involves access to affordable menstrual products, accurate menstrual health education, appropriate water and sanitation facilities, supportive families and schools, and communities willing to challenge the stigma surrounding periods.

Period poverty is often discussed as though it is only an individual or household problem. It is not. When a girl misses school because she does not have adequate menstrual products or feels unsafe managing her period in an unsuitable environment, the consequences can extend beyond that single day. Repeated disruption can affect learning, confidence and participation. This is why menstrual health belongs within conversations about education, health, gender equality and social development.

The stigma surrounding menstruation can be just as damaging as the lack of resources. Girls may be taught that periods are dirty, embarrassing or something that should never be discussed openly. Boys may grow up without understanding what menstruation is, sometimes turning ignorance into teasing or bullying. Adults may also avoid conversations because they feel uncomfortable. Breaking this cycle requires honest, age-appropriate education for girls and boys alike. Schools and communities have an important role to play. A supportive school can provide menstrual health education, access to emergency menstrual products, private and usable sanitation facilities, and a culture where girls can ask for help without humiliation. Teachers can also become trusted adults who recognise when a student’s menstrual needs may be affecting her attendance, concentration or wellbeing.

Families are equally important. Parents and caregivers can help girls understand menstruation before their first period, answer questions without judgement, and make it normal to talk about menstrual health. Girls should not have to feel ashamed for asking for a pad, experiencing menstrual pain or needing support. A period should never become a reason for a child to feel less worthy, less capable or less welcome. Boys and men also have a role. Menstrual equity cannot be achieved if menstruation is treated as a subject that belongs only to women and girls. Boys can learn that menstruation is a normal part of human biology and that teasing someone because of her period is harmful. Men can support daughters, sisters, wives, colleagues and community members by helping create environments where menstrual needs are taken seriously.

This is the foundation of my Menstrual Equity for All initiative: to contribute to a culture where menstruation is understood rather than hidden, where girls can access the products and information they need, and where dignity is not determined by a family’s income. Through awareness, community conversations, educational resources, partnerships and practical support, we can help girls manage menstruation with confidence and continue participating fully in school and community life.

Menstrual equity connects directly with several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Addressing menstrual health also contributes to reducing inequalities by ensuring that poverty and lack of access do not unnecessarily limit a girl’s opportunities.

The change we need does not require every person to do everything. It requires people to do something. A school can create a menstrual support system. A parent can start an honest conversation. A community leader can support awareness. A business can donate menstrual products. A young person can challenge a harmful joke. An organisation can help girls access reliable information and practical resources. Menstruation is not a weakness. It is not a source of shame. And access to menstrual dignity should not be a privilege reserved for those who can easily afford it. If we want healthier communities, stronger educational outcomes and greater gender equality, menstrual health must be part of the conversation. When we support a

girl to manage her period with dignity, we are not simply giving her a product—we are helping protect her confidence, participation and possibilities.

Written By: Nazihat Abdulmalik - Nigeria