Period Poverty Deepens Global Inequality as Advocates Demand Menstrual Dignity in Crisis Response

By Iyojo Ameh

Health and gender rights advocates have raised alarm over the growing impact of period poverty on millions of women and girls worldwide, warning that inflation, climate disasters, conflicts, and humanitarian emergencies are worsening menstrual discrimination and undermining fundamental human rights.

Speaking during a global SHE & Rights session marking the International Day of Action for Women’s Health and Menstrual Hygiene, experts called for the recognition of “dignified menstruation” as a critical component of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Leading the call was Nepalese nurse and activist, Radha Paudel, who argued that menstruation should be treated as a matter of dignity, equality, freedom, and non-discrimination rather than a mere hygiene issue.

“Periods do not stop during wars, disasters, or displacement,” Paudel said. “Whether in refugee camps, evacuation centres, or conflict zones, the needs of menstruating people must be prioritised.”

She criticized what she described as a narrow focus on distributing menstrual products without addressing the broader social and structural barriers faced by menstruators.

Paudel also challenged the widespread use of the term “sanitary pad,” insisting that menstrual blood should not be viewed as unclean.

“Our blood is clean. It is life-giving. We should call them menstrual pads or menstrual products,” she said.

The discussion highlighted how a combination of inflation, climate change, poverty, and supply chain disruptions has intensified period poverty globally.

According to gender rights advocate and SHE & Rights campaign coordinator, Shobha Shukla, nearly 500 million people worldwide face period poverty every month.

“We are living through a poly-crisis where families increasingly have to choose between buying food and purchasing menstrual products,” she said.

Advocates from Asia and Africa shared accounts of women and girls struggling to maintain dignity during emergencies.

In the Philippines, menstrual health advocate Joie Cortina recounted how women displaced by devastating fires identified underwear and menstrual supplies as urgent needs often overlooked by humanitarian responders.

Similarly, Indonesian gender advocate Rita Widiadana said flooding, earthquakes, and conflicts frequently leave women and girls without access to clean water, privacy, or menstrual products.

“Relief efforts often prioritise food and medicines while ignoring menstrual needs, despite their importance to health and dignity,” she noted.

In Uganda, Angel Babirye warned that rising prices have forced many families to ration menstrual products or resort to unsafe alternatives, increasing the risk of infections and school absenteeism among girls.
“Many girls miss school simply because they cannot afford menstrual products,” Babirye said.

The advocates stressed that menstrual products should be classified as essential items rather than luxury goods and urged governments and humanitarian agencies to integrate menstrual health into disaster preparedness and response plans.

The forum also welcomed the recent decision by the International PCOS Network and The Lancet to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), reflecting growing recognition that the condition extends beyond ovarian health and affects broader hormonal and metabolic functions.

Why It Matters

The debate goes beyond menstrual products. Advocates argue that menstrual dignity is directly linked to human rights, education, gender equality, health outcomes, and economic empowerment.

As climate-related disasters, armed conflicts, and inflation continue to displace vulnerable populations worldwide, millions of women and girls face increased barriers to managing their periods safely and with dignity. Failure to address menstrual needs can lead to infections, school dropouts, reduced workplace participation, and deeper gender inequalities.

The calls from global advocates underscore a growing demand for governments, aid agencies, and health institutions to treat menstrual health as a core development and human rights issue rather than an afterthought in emergency response and public policy.