“The day when the lockdown was announced, I was on the first day of my period. I went to the nearby shop to buy sanitary napkins while there were people rushing to buy food items and stock because they were worried about shortages. I was worried that there would be shortages of sanitary napkins as well. The government should not forget that while there is a lockdown in the country, our periods are not going to lockdown at all. The government should ensure the accessibility of sanitary napkins for all the girls in the country.” – Sajju, 20, Nepal
While the COVID-19 pandemic brought our everyday lives to a halt, there were some things that were immune from the global health crisis. Periods, among them. The world’s current situation has already brought gendered impacts to light – an increase in domestic violence and female employees as the hardest hit by job losses among them – but period poverty around the world is at an all-time high.
To gain a deeper understanding of the specific problems COVID-19 has posed for managing menstrual health and hygiene, Plan International Australia has released its Periods in a Pandemic report for World Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May). It identified seven issues related to coronavirus and periods – supply distributions limiting access, limited access to washing or changing facilities, price increases in sanitary products, lack of access to reliable information and support, access to clean water, disposal management and the stigma associate with menstruation.
“From to Kenya to Nepal, to Australia, Ireland and Cambodia, COVID-19 lockdowns are causing big problems for people who menstruate. Periods don’t stop during a pandemic, but managing them has become a whole lot harder,” Plan International Australia’s CEO Susanne Legena said.
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The charity, with assistance from The Body Shop Australia, surveyed 661 people who menstruate in Australia.
“Here in Australia, half those we surveyed said they had trouble finding period products, particularly when panic buying started,” Legena added. “There were also widespread reports that prices have risen and remain higher than usual, with one in five of our survey participants reporting this was the case. We would strongly encourage retailers to ensure that menstrual hygiene products remain affordable during this time, particularly when people are struggling financially.
“Unfortunately, some of our survey participants said the pandemic had created extra stress and pressure which had amplified their PMS or made their periods more painful. We also received reports that people were delaying or avoiding seeing a GP for fear of either contracting coronavirus or taking up resources for those who have it. We would echo previous calls from medical experts to go and see your GP as usual and never to put it off, particularly now telehealth appointments are widely available.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that female sanitary products will be offered free in schools across the country to end period poverty. The national plan follows Scotland, who became the first country in the world to make sanitary items free.
“We know that nearly 95,000 nine to 18 year-olds may stay at home during their periods due to not being able to afford period products,” Ardern said. “By making them freely available, we support these young people to continue learning at school.”
There are many ways we can help. One of the most effective is to donate products or money to charities who can supply products. Others include buying from brands that give back and speaking up to raise awareness.
Plan International is also calling on governments and health agencies to urgently assist girls, women and people who menstruate to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
“Menstrual hygiene management must be built into COVID-19 health responses and whilst lockdowns continue, it should be built into remote learning curriculums,” Ms Legena said.
“We know that people with disabilities and people from marginalised communities, like refugees for example, are more profoundly impacted by these issues, so their menstrual health and hygiene must be prioritised in responses to the pandemic.”
Learn more here.
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