I’m sure most of you (well, the girls at least) can relate to this. But today, what if I told you that this scenario is not common for many girls around the world?

What if I told you that as many as 500 million girls and women worldwide lack access to basic menstrual products and hygiene facilities?

What if I told you that 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their period—with one of the main reasons being a lack of private spaces and hygienic facilities?

Is This Acceptable in the 21st Century?

In a world where we celebrate technological advancements and human rights, how can we justify the continued stigma and discrimination surrounding menstruation? How can we allow girls to miss out on their education simply because they don’t have access to a pad?

In this blog, we’ll explore how NGOs across the globe are stepping up to combat period poverty and ensure that no girl is held back by a natural biological process.

What Is Period Poverty?

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to proper menstrual products and the education needed to use them effectively. While this definition may seem simple, the issue is deeply complex, involving economic, social, and infrastructural challenges.

The Economic Burden of Menstrual Products

One of the biggest challenges of period poverty is the financial strain menstrual products impose, especially with the introduction of the “pink tax” in some countries.

For women and girls living in poverty, the cost of pads or tampons can be a substantial expense—often forcing them to choose between basic necessities like food and shelter.

To address this issue, numerous NGOs have stepped in. For example:

The Period Project provides free menstrual products to schools and community organizations in the U.S. and around the world, breaking financial barriers and ensuring that girls can continue their education.

Lack of Access to Sanitary Facilities

Another critical aspect of period poverty is the absence of clean, private restrooms for girls and women.

Without proper sanitation, they face increased risks of infections, stigma, and missed educational opportunities. Organizations like WaterAid are working to improve sanitation infrastructure in developing countries, ensuring that women and girls have access to safe and hygienic facilities.

Breaking the Silence: Why This Matters

What hurts me the most is that we live in a world where a simple biological function can hold girls back.

A world where menstruation is seen as a curse, a secret to be hidden, a source of shame.

For millions of girls and women, this is not just an occasional inconvenience—it’s a daily struggle.

What Can We Do?

Support and amplify the work of NGOs fighting period poverty.

Educate ourselves and others to normalize conversations about menstruation.

Advocate for policies that remove financial barriers to menstrual hygiene.

Together, we can create a world where no girl has to miss school because of her period.

Stay with us for more stories, and let’s all educate ourselves!

Breaking the Stigma: Addressing Period Poverty WorldwideWhen I got my first period back in fifth grade, I felt a lot of things all at once. I was scared, I was nervous, I was excited. I was overwhelmed, to say the very least. Fortunately, I had my mother and grandmother by my side. Even more fortunately, I had access to basic menstrual products.