CONVERSATIONS ON MENSTRUAL HEALTH

Menstrual health and hygiene is a complex topic of discussion. It is considered a taboo or ‘dirty’ topic, and for some, it’s something to capitalize on, as menstrual hygiene products are still considered commodities rather than natural rights in all but one country in the world [4]. Approximately half of the world’s population deals with this topic on a monthly basis. How then can we change the narratives around menstruation and menstrual health? I would say, first and foremost, there needs to be a greater understanding of how economic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors allow period poverty to keep 1 in 10 girls in Africa from attending school when menstruating and approximately 50% of school-age girls in Kenya from having access to sanitary products [1].

Economically, menstrual hygiene products are an expense that many families simply cannot afford. Removing VAT taxes, as decided by the Kenyan government in 2004 [5],  is simply not enough when it comes to fighting period poverty. As explained by the African Development and Empowerment Foundation team lead, Dr. Victoria Feyikemi, “removing VAT on menstrual hygiene products is a kind gesture, but it will not make the prices … fall to the level where everyone will be able to afford them without any government or donor support” [2].

From a sociocultural point of view, menstrual hygiene is still taboo in most countries in the world. Misinformation and the lack of conversations discussing this issue have ultimately led to health problems, missing school, or isolation from communities for people all over the world. As for education about menstrual hygiene, either in school or in communities, there needs to be a greater understanding that these educational initiatives must be informed by the culture, beliefs, and values held by the population at hand while at the same time effectively solving the problems.

Last but not least, sustainability, both economic and even environmental conditions cannot be ignored when talking about menstrual hygiene habits. Estimations on the plastic waste caused by menstrual hygiene products vary, and not much of that research is conducted in low-income countries. However, the environmental damage resulting from the use of single-use pads or tampons is not insignificant, and there is an emerging market for different forms of reusable menstrual products. 

With all the above in mind, I would love to highlight an extraordinary organization that is fighting period poverty one sustainable pad at a time: AFRIpads, a company that produces different forms of reusable menstrual products, such as reusable pads.  Economically, “one AFRIpads Standard 4-pack is three times more affordable than a year’s supply of disposable pads” [3]. In terms of creating conversations and destigmatizing menstrual hygiene, AFRIpads does an outstanding job. They involve local communities in the making of their pads (which also connects with the issue of environmental and economic sustainability), have several pieces of training available on their website for those wishing to start education initiatives or educate themselves, and hold partnerships with organizations such as Aisle, together creating the GIRLTALK comic booklet, which explains menstrual hygiene and reproductive health in an engaging and accessible manner. Regarding sustainability, all of their products are reusable, last for at least 12 months, and are produced locally in Uganda, with 86% of their employees coming from marginalized backgrounds.

AFRIpads is only one of several organizations that is helping shift the conversation around menstrual health, among Kenya’s ZanaAfrica Foundation and international NGO WASH United. While these organizations do an outstanding job, the end period poverty cannot be left solely to them. The end of period poverty starts with education. It starts with awareness. It starts with us.

Written by Inês Santos

References:

1. ActionAid (2021, 24 February). Period poverty. ActionAid. https://www.actionaid.org.uk/our-work/womens-rights/period-poverty 

2. Adepoju, Paul (2019, 15 July). African activists seek universal access to sanitary products. Devex. https://www.devex.com/news/african-activists-seek-universal-access-to-sanitary-products-95248 

3. AFRIpads (n.d.). https://www.afripads.com/ 

4. Diamond, Claire (2020, 24 November). Period poverty: Scotland first in world to make period products free. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51629880 

5. Hallett, Vicky (2016, May 10). What Kenya Can Teach The U.S. About Menstrual Pads. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/05/10/476741805/what-kenya-can-teach-the-u-s-about-menstrual-pads