At times, we take many things for granted, and access to clean sanitary hygiene facilities is one of them. While we are ruining the environment and using disposable sanitary hygiene products like pads and tampons recklessly, there’s still a substantial portion of the human population that doesn’t have access to menstrual hygiene products due to socio-economic constraints. Yes, having the best menstrual cup in India can immensely help eradicate period poverty by providing a sustainable and reusable way of managing periods. However, most women don’t even know about period cups. 

To begin with and shed light on what period poverty is and how to eradicate it, here’s a blog from Shecup to dive into the complexities of period poverty in the Indian context, its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. 

Understanding Period Poverty in India:

In India, period poverty is a multifaceted issue deeply intertwined with socio-economic factors such as poverty, gender inequality, and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. For many women and girls, the inability to afford sanitary products forces them to resort to unhygienic alternatives like old rags, newspapers, or even leaves, putting their health at risk.

Impact on Women’s Health and Well-being:

The lack of access to menstrual hygiene products not only poses health risks but also hampers women’s ability to participate fully in daily activities, including education and employment. Inadequate menstrual hygiene management can lead to infections, reproductive health complications, and absenteeism from school or work, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality.

Factors Contributing to Period Poverty:

Several factors contribute to period poverty in India, including limited awareness about menstrual hygiene, high costs of sanitary products, insufficient sanitation infrastructure, and cultural stigmatization of menstruation. In addition, the widespread prevalence of child marriage and early pregnancy further exacerbates the challenges faced by young girls in managing their periods.

Addressing Period Poverty:

Efforts to address period poverty require a multi-faceted approach involving government initiatives, community mobilization, and advocacy for policy changes. Government schemes such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme and Swachh Bharat Mission have aimed to improve access to sanitary products and promote menstrual hygiene awareness in schools and communities. NGOs and grassroots organizations play a crucial role in distributing free sanitary products, conducting educational workshops, and advocating for menstrual equity.

Promoting Menstrual Health Education:

Comprehensive menstrual health education is essential to combatting period poverty and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. By providing accurate information about menstrual hygiene practices, reproductive health, and gender equality, we can empower women and girls to manage their periods safely and confidently.

Conclusion

If you think period poverty is something that can be ignored on the surface level, you are mistaken. Every year, this issue remains a significant barrier to women’s health, education, and economic empowerment. There are many ways to eliminate this problem from the root, but switching to a soft menstrual cup for beginners can be a great step. A single menstrual cup can last for about two years, and this allows women to manage their period efficiently, cost-effectively, and sustainably without any constraints. Searching for a period cup to take the right step? Shecup can be your first step towards sustainable periods!