This Is Why Menstrual Products Should Be Free

By: Leila 

Since time immemorial, it has always been a wonder as to why feminine sanitary products are commercially distributed while condoms are offered free of charge in public institutions and washrooms. 

One of the greatest breakthrough was Scotland when it officially announced in 2018 that sanitary pads will be distributed for free nationwide. England and Wales have followed suit and implemented the same.

In the United States, some states offer free period products while others are yet to pass the legislation as cited by USA Today.com :

"California and Illinois became the first states to give public school students access to free menstrual products in early 2018, followed by New York later that year and New Hampshire in 2019. Georgia decided by budget, not legislation, that it will also provide pads and tampons at no cost in low-income schools starting the 2020 fiscal year."

No girl or gender-neutral individual wakes up and decides to menstrute their entire life. It is purely natural and non-negotiable and month after month she has to deal with the accidental leaks, purchasing new panties or clothes while discarding the damaged ones, cramps, mood swings, loss of appetite, cravings, bloating, lethargy, acne, back- aches, headaches, nausea, fluctuating body temperatures and to make it worse... buy medication and sanitary products to cater for this phase.

There are alot of repercussions of commercializing menstrual products. The only solution to alleviating the problems related to period poverty is to distribute them for free and this is why:

Financially costly

This is what every lady/gender-neutral person must get every month during her menstruation:

1. Sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, reusable pads

2. Panty liners

3. Painkillers, anti-acids for stomach-aches, hot water bottle for cramps

4. Pay for certain food cravings while avoiding others

5. New panties and clothes incase of accidental leaks

Statistically, every household with women spends up to $100 to $300 every year just to cater for the monthly natural occurrence.

Pads and tampons need to be changed within 2-4 hours to avoid leaks, infections and susceptibility to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Leaks cause shame and can lead to a lifetime of personality trauma while infections and TSS adversely affect a woman's health for the rest of her life.

All this is at the expense of girls and women regardless of their socio-economic statuses all the while being taxed just for menstruating.

According to Blume.com

"If we don’t have to pay for toilet paper and paper towels in public washrooms, then we shouldn’t have to pay for menstrual products either. Offering free and accessible period products can help people who menstruate save upwards of $5,000 in their lifetimes, reduces stress on women’s shelters, and reduces waste — especially if the products provided are eco-friendly!"

Derails womxns' economic and professional growth

"Every month, I miss 2 days of work just so that I could stay at home, take medication and deal with my heavy flow." ~ Doreen

Doreen's story is representative of many other women who have to stay home during menstruation.

A population of women have to stay home because they are unable to choose between purchasing period products or food yet they're all basic needs.

For the 4-6 days of every month, they use old pieces of clothing, cotton wool or in some cultures they are secluded in a hut or room and told to squat the whole time.

This means 48 -72 days a year, a country's economy loses money because the working women are at home. Therefore, men are more likely to be promoted and get more jobs whereas women's professional contributions are not significantly valued hence they're not adequately compensated.

With free period products in workplaces and anywhere accessible, women will be able to show up to work and with both men and women growing professionally, this will push the gender equality agenda and the economy will grow exponentially.

"Free menstrual products = Women Empowerment"

Adversely affects the girl child's education

"When I was 11, every month I had to stay home during my menstruation because my parents couldn't afford sanitary pads and cramping medication. We had to choose food over pads." ~ Sheena

3 out of 10 girls miss school during their period. This has resulted in a significant rise of girls dropping out of school and a drop in girls' school performance.

Commercializing menstrual products puts many girls all over the world like Sheena out of school hence holding them back while expecting them to perform well and compete with boys who are always in school.

Free products will enhance period equity ensuring girls from all socio-economic backgrounds continue with their educaction without a single worry.

Kenya and South Africa have made significant progress in this area as cited by Borgen Magazine

"In 2019, South Africa instituted a policy that abolished taxes on feminine hygiene products, such as pads and tampons. Global Citizen is also lobbying the South African government to pledge $58 million annually to provide free sanitary pads for all girls in the 4th through 12th grades in public schools.

In Kenya in 2017, an amendment to the Education Act, signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, specifies that free, appropriate and high-quality sanitary towels must be given to every school-registered girl. Furthermore, schools must supply girls with a healthy and environmentally friendly disposal mechanism."

Menstruation isn't a choice

Whether you're a girl or gender-neutral, menstruation did not come to you by choice. It's all biological.

Whereas sexual intercourse is completely a choice.

So why offer free condoms while commercializing, taxing and profiting off a completely non-negotiable natural occurrence? 

Regardless of education, professional, financial status and geographical location, periods just pop in every month and sometimes without a warning.

And because nobody decided to menstruate, period products should be free and accessible anywhere and anytime.

Accidental leaks

This is a scenario almost every girl/gender-neutral person has experienced.

"My period started on my way to work. I had to make a stop at a mall restroom and send one of the staff to the supermarket to get me a pad and an extra panty. I also had to get medicine for my cramps too. I sat on the toilet for 20 minutes as I waited, " says Dana.

The sudden menstruation was very costly to Dana in terms of:

Money:

 She had to abruptly adjust her budget

Time:

She had to wait for 20 minutes to get the period products and was late to work.

If the period products were easily available in the restroom or anywhere on her way to the mall, she would have saved alot on time and money.

Studies indicate that 3 out 10 girls miss school and work in case of an accidental leak. 

The leaks come with period shame because of the stain and this negatively affects how she perceives her biological nature. 

Cultural perception of periods

In some cultures, menstruation is perceived as a taboo. A menstruating girl or woman is rendered dirty and is secluded from her family, husband, schoolmates and peers until it's over. 

This is likely to lower her self- esteem and increase self-loathing when she approaches puberty.

She has to experience it 12 times a year.

With free menstrual products especially in schools, she will be able to stay in school without worrying about the cultural period shame.

Moreover, it will create awareness around menstruation and positively change the cultural perception of it.

 

#womenshealth #womenempowerment