How COVID-19 is Making Period Poverty Worse

Jaley Hardy

It is no surprise that COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of our daily life. People have lost their jobs, social support and what we are now calling our “new normal” is something that we have never encountered before. With COVID touching every part of our lives, it is no wonder it is also increasing other social problems too. Period poverty has increased during the pandemic and this has not only made it more difficult to access period products but also increased the stigma and shame. According to Global Health and Pharma, period poverty has what they call the “toxic trio”, which is a lack of vital education about period and sex and relationships, the cost of sanitary products and the taboo and stigma around menstruating (Griffin 2020). Unfortunately, COVID-19 has only made each part of this trio significantly worse for many individuals who menstruate.

According to a survey carried out by Plan International in over 30 countries, managing periods safely and with dignity has become a lot harder throughout the pandemic. COVID-19 has created economic panic for many around the world, impacting vulnerable populations the most. Having a strain on your income can make affording period products incredibly difficult, especially if they were already difficult to afford in the first place. On top of the decrease in income, many companies have inflated the prices on items such as tampons and pads, making them scarce in many places, especially rural areas (Atty 2020). In some cases, menstrual products are not considered essential, which means supply chains are not necessarily compelled to produce them and do not feel the pressure or obligation to do so (Fish, 2020). All this together increases the inaccessibility that many face each month during their period. A report done by The Independent found that during lockdown, 1/10 menstruators have not only found it difficult to access period products but were also afraid to leave their house for daily exercise or fresh air due to concerns of leaking.

Non-profit organizations have been trying to support the need for period products since the pandemic began. In the United States, menstrual products are not covered by food stamps in 30 states and are subject to sales tax which is leaving large parts of the population even more marginalized and at a loss. I Support The Girls, an organization with 50 US and four international affiliates, reported a 35% increase in requests for period products since the start of the pandemic. Another organization in the United States, No More Secrets, increased its distribution from 80 people per week to about 200. Legislation has also been pushed aside (particularly in the United States) due to the pandemic. For example, a bill in Maryland which aimed to provide free menstrual products in public schools was pushed aside once the pandemic began in March (Gaffney 2020). These numbers point to concerning trends that are demonstrating how demand for period products and their inaccessibility during COVID-19 is directly impacting marginalized individuals and communities.

School closures have also had an impact on the increase in period poverty. In recent years, some countries have started offering free period products at school. British Columbia and certain school boards in Ontario have announced they will be offering free tampons and pads to their students. Countries like Scotland and England, as well as others, have initiatives that provide free supplies for students (Griffin 2020). According to Global Health and Pharma, these initiatives are important and vital for many students who struggle to afford their period products. Since the pandemic began, many schools have gone back and forth between in-person and virtual learning. This has made it especially difficult for students who relied on these school programs for their period needs. School closures have also impacted the type of sex education and, more specifically, menstrual health education that students are receiving as many teachers are opting to limit or skip it completely (Griffin 2020). Without proper education, increased stigma and shame can occur for students who menstruate.

Lack of access to proper menstrual products can cause health and social problems for individuals who menstruate. Individuals are forced to use alternatives, wear period products for longer than they should, use products that are not right for their bodies and/or rely on more accessible items like toilet paper. This can lead to an increase in reproductive and urinary tract infections.  Facility closures have also made it increasingly difficult for individuals to access the safe spaces they need to change, clean or manage their period (Atty 2020). According to the same survey by Plan International, 68% pointed to restricted access to facilities needed to change, clean or dispose of period products as one of the main challenges menstruators have faced since the pandemic began. Closures and reduced hours of many services and clinics have also contributed to a lack of access to information and assistance for individuals and their periods (Atty 2020).

Menstruation equity is incredibly important, especially in these COVID-19 times. We are seeing the need in all areas of our communities. The pandemic has made life hard for everyone, but it has hit marginalized individuals and communities the hardest. Governments should prioritize period health and products during these times to make their accessibility greater for those who need it. With continued lockdowns, school closures and the uncertainty that lies ahead, it only makes sense to address the increased inaccessibility that COVID-19 has caused. Period poverty is a real concern both in and outside of Canada. As we continue through this pandemic, we need to make period products essential, accessible and affordable.

References

Atty, M. (2020, May 28). Coronavirus is making periods worse for girls and women. Plan International. https://plan-international.org/news/2020-05-28-coronavirus-making-periods-worse-girls-and-women.

Broster, A. (2020, May 28). Period Poverty Is Getting Worse During Coronavirus, Warns Charity. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicebroster/2020/05/28/period-poverty-is-getting-worse-during-coronavirus-warns-charity/?sh=2afe37fa3f73.

Fish, O. (2020, October 28). 5 Challenges of Period Poverty During COVID-19. https://www.borgenmagazine.com/period-poverty-during-covid-19/.

Gaffney, T. (2020, July 8). The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated period poverty. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/07/pandemic-health-disparity-period-poverty/.

Griffin, S. (2020, November 26). Period Poverty Throughout Covid-19 – What Challenges May It Bring? GHP News. https://www.ghp-news.com/period-poverty-throughout-covid-19-what-challenges-may-it-bring/.