By Francesca Ote

It goes without saying that gender inequality permeates each and every aspect of society today. Whether through overt forms such as the imposition of gender roles and stereotypes, to more subtle yet blatant manifestations such as the pink tax, solving gender inequality would be a slow-moving endeavor. Yet, it is its unspoken sides that perpetuate it even further — period poverty being one of them. 

The Situation At Large 

Period poverty, unbeknownst to many, has been yet another hindrance for girls all over the world. The term was coined to illustrate the lack of access one may have to proper hygiene products, specifically menstrual products, as well as quality facilities due to one’s socio-economic status.  This issue has made it to be that basic essentials have turned into privileges, thus pushing many women to use makeshift alternatives that directly put them at risk for various health complications. Most are often left to miss school and other extracurricular activities, as they are deprived of the proper products to help manage their monthly flow.

Hoping to further investigate the complexities of this, a study by Emory University surveyed several young girls from varying regions in the Philippines regarding the quality of hygiene management in their area. When asked about their access to water, many of the respondents mentioned that it constantly fluctuates, with one stating it is, “because they can’t pay the bill.” Oftentimes, even though there is an available water reservoir, it was still reported to be “dirty” and infested with insects. 

On the other hand, the general consensus regarding the quality of restrooms and other facilities was that all of them were so unsanitary and clogged, that they were unusable. One girl, in particular, testified that she “only [drinks] a little so that [she] will not have the urge to urinate.” Above all else, many of the girls expressed that none of their schools had any sanitary napkins available, which thus impacted their participation and overall performance in the classroom. 

Collectively, these circumstances should have never been a concern at all. When it does become one, it should be seen as a wake-up call that situations are becoming dire. Having access to decent facilities should not be anything out of the ordinary; in fact, it should be the standard, as it plays a significant role in the health and well-being of the rest. Knowing all of this, what has made all these acts of neglect stand the test of time?

The Wrong Kind of Talk 

At its core, period poverty thrives upon the silence enforced by its circulating misconceptions. These myths could vary from the absurd, such as jumping up and down to shorten one’s cycle, to what is simply misleading, like not showering during that time of the month to avoid infertility and insanity. However, above all the labels menstrual hygiene receives, there stands the notion of it being “gross” and “dirty.” In a recent article by UNICEF regarding period poverty, one girl testified that her first-period experience was “embarrassing” and that she “did not tell anyone about it” as a result of such stereotypes. 

Acting like facts, these myths imply that menstruation is a “problem” that is to be fixed. It paints the picture that blows over proportion the inconvenience of having a period. In this case, when presented as the truth to young and naive girls, these ideas can uproot a life filled with shame and negative connotations about themselves. Above all else, these distract girls from the reality of what is happening to them, leaving them not only unprepared but severely misinformed of an inevitable yet natural process. 

Nonetheless, to say that the concept of menstruation is a completely shunned subject would be a mistake. Under the Official K-12 Curriculum available on Dep-Ed’s website, it is standard for grade five students to be learning about the reproductive system in hopes of practicing “proper hygiene care of the reproductive organs.” 

Thus, given that most follow the said curriculum, it would be safe to assume that many have an established foundation on the matter. Yet, simply by looking at the rate at which many girls are suffering, it is clear that this has never been enough. 

Looking to the Future 

On that note, the first step in ultimately defying the stigma is by making these needed products more accessible and available, as doing so would solidify their importance and never-ending relevance. 

House Bill No. 4590, sought to achieve just that. Filed in September 2019 by Former Congresswoman, Ria Fariñas, the Young Women’s Kit act aimed to foster environments where menstruation, as well as finances, would not be a barrier for underprivileged youth. From grades 7 to 12 (although not limited to this age bracket), all girls from public schools would be given their own kit with all the essentials: medicine, sanitary napkins, disinfectant, pain reliever, and more for free. To add to this, the initiative would integrate a program directly addressing all the misconceptions about menstruation thus far. Yet, in spite of its immense promise, no progress has been made so far as the bill continues to be pending for a 4th year in a row. 

Any developments in this regard would have made a significant dent towards period poverty, as it directly responds to the two main tenets of the issue, lack of education and resources. Through its emphasis on the youth, it ensures that period poverty does not pass on to future generations and that the outlook of menstruation will finally be redefined. Failing to acknowledge the potential of this act is yet another way society puts the urgent needs of these young girls on the back burner and deprives them of the change that is severely overdue.

Period poverty, amongst other things, is a poignant reminder the faces of gender inequality further multiply when one remains silent. As it continues to be disputed and plagued with myths that bury the truth, its dehumanizing nature becomes an evermore normalized idea. Now’s the time to stop it before it’s too late and thus finally reclaim the dignity of young girls across the nation.