Put a FULL STOP to period poverty.
strugglING every month
Did you know that many girls and women struggle every month during their periods?
All those who menstruate, wherever they live, experience challenges when managing their period. These might include a lack of products, toilets or disposal facilities, enduring pain, being bullied or being restricted from activities and locations. In high-income countries, these challenges are often referred to as “period poverty” and in low-middle-income countries as “poor menstrual hygiene management”. But the result is the same: a large proportion of the global population is disadvantaged by having a period.
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, or waste management.
Around the world, women who menstruate may be ostracised from basic activities, like eating certain foods or socializing. The cultural shame attached to menstruation, and a shortage of resources, can stop women from going to school and working every day. The World Bank estimates that 500 million women and girls globally lack access to adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management.
ADRA and the Seventh-day Adventist church
ADRA and the Seventh-day Adventist church in Europe are on a mission to put a full stop to period poverty!
Together we want to challenge societal inequity and address period poverty. In March 2023, ADRA Europe and the Trans-European and Inter-European women ministries departments launched the “Full STOP to Period Poverty” initiative. The campaign will inspire people to make washroom facilities “female-friendly”.
The Adventist faith community is invited to take two small but revolutionary steps:
- To make menstrual health products available in restrooms of our spaces, such as ADRA offices, church buildings, schools, universities, church institutions and others.
- To create “female-friendly spots” – spaces where menstrual health products will be free for those who struggle to afford them.
Let’s challenge the shame of period poverty and support girls and women during “those days”. Probably we will not solve the complex issue, but it’s a start. And we need to start with ourselves first. Now is an excellent time to open the doors to the fullness of life for all human beings, including women. 😊
What are some additional steps for “enthusiastic changemakers”:
- Educate and talk about menstruation. The more we understand this natural biological process, the less afraid we will be of menstrual blood. The more we talk about it, the less the “taboo” will be around it. Remember: we were all born because our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers… had periods. 😊
- Advocate for making menstrual products affordable, for example, by removing the “tampon tax” or providing free products in schools and through food banks. Most programmes that distribute free menstrual products in high-income countries provide disposable pads or tampons, while in low-middle-income countries, disposable or reusable pads are preferred over tampons. Free and cheaper products are necessary for some situations and can manage short-term issues.
- Partner with local communities to identify why menstruators cannot manage their periods hygienically and with dignity. Researchers implemented a pilot of this method in Uganda. The local community reacted positively. Local champions worked with researchers and practitioners to dismantle menstrual taboos in the broader society and create sustainable solutions. This was achieved by educating men, women, boys and girls about menstruation and providing access to a range of locally-made and affordable menstrual products.
- Fundraise and collect funds that support women and girls that struggle. Get inspired by Christian Hull (video link: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/fundraisers/christianhull/christian-hull–s-birthday)
- The last idea is for SUPER ENTHUSIASTS: BECOME A RESEARCHER in programmes directed towards evidence-based solutions – which will likely involve more than just supplying girls with pads. Understanding and addressing the root causes of period poverty is the only thing that will allow us to move towards a period-positive environment for everyone who menstruates.
Ten Key Facts on Menstruation
- On average, a woman menstruates for the equivalent of seven years of days during her lifetime.
- In their lifetime, the average menstruating person uses almost 17.000 tampons or pads.
- The first period can be met with either celebration, fear or concern. For every girl, this signifies an essential transition to womanhood – a time when they would benefit from the support of family and friends.
- Many girls do not have a complete and accurate understanding of menstruation as a normal biological process. Educating girls before their first period — and, importantly, boys — on menstruation builds their confidence, contributes to social solidarity and encourages healthy habits. Such information should be provided at home and school.
- Poor menstrual hygiene can pose physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections. Many girls and women have limited options for affordable menstrual materials. Providing access to private facilities with water and safer low-cost menstrual materials could reduce urogenital diseases.
- Girls and women with disabilities and special needs face additional challenges with menstrual hygiene. They are affected disproportionately by the lack of access to toilets with water and materials to manage their periods;
- Many women and girls cannot access materials to manage their menstruation, especially in an emergency — natural disasters and conflicts. In emergencies, ADRA provides dignity kits to women and girls.
- Globally, 2.3 billion people lack basic sanitation services, and in the least Developed Countries, only 27 per cent of the population has a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Managing periods is a significant challenge for women and adolescent girls who lack these basic facilities at home.
- About half of the schools in low-income countries lack adequate drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for girls and female teachers to manage their periods. Inadequate facilities can affect girls’ experience at school, causing them to miss school during their periods. All schools should provide running water and safe and clean toilets for adolescent girls.
- Menstrual Health conditions vary widely from country to country, but there is a significant need worldwide. Approximately one-fourth of the people on our planet are women of reproductive age — that is, menstruators, or people who have periods. Nearly 25% of all menstruators experience period poverty, meaning they do not have what they need to manage their periods. That’s over 500 million people every month.
More about period poverty from similar organisations:
Free resources by WaterAid, WSUP, and Unicef: https://washmatters.wateraid.org/sites/g/files/jkxoof256/files/female-friendly-public-and-community-toilets-a-guide.pdf
UNICEF: Menstruation is stigmatised all over the world. (link: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-menstruation)
World economic forum: (link 1; https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/international-womens-day-period-poverty-financial-burden-how-retailers-can-help/ and link 2: : https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/07/long-way-to-end-period-poverty)
Open access government: Link https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/period-poverty-women/59547/ Sian Walkling, Marketing Manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene, discusses the need to tackle period poverty by creating a comfortable and dignified washroom for women. Bristol became the first UK city to host a ‘period poverty summit’ in late January 2019 to tackle the country’s ongoing, increasingly high-profile battle to ensure women across the country can afford and have access to basic sanitary products. It is estimated that 137,000 girls miss at least one day of school per year in the UK due to cost or a lack of access to sanitary products.
Share the dignity: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/
The first global period poverty forum took place, and another will take place soon: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/global-period-poverty-forum
… and many more.
 Source UNICEF: Menstruation is stigmatized all over the world. (link: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-menstruation)
Acha kabisa umaskini wa kiasili. Je, unajua kwamba wasichana wengi wana matatizo ya kawaida ya hedhi? Wote wanaopata hedhi, haidhuru wanaishi wapi, wanakabiliwa na matatizo ya kudhibiti hedhi yao. Hii inaweza kujumuisha ukosefu wa bidhaa, vyoo au vifaa vya kutupa, maumivu ya kudumu, kudhulumiwa au kupigwa marufuku kutoka kwa shughuli na maeneo. Katika nchi zenye mapato ya juu, changamoto hizi mara nyingi huitwa "umaskini wa kipindi" na katika nchi zenye mapato ya chini-kati kama "usimamizi duni wa usafi wa hedhi". Lakini matokeo ni yaleyale: sehemu kubwa ya idadi ya watu duniani wanakabiliwa na hasara ya kuwa na kipindi cha hedhi. Umaskini wa kipindi ni ukosefu wa upatikanaji wa bidhaa za usafi, elimu ya usafi wa hedhi, vyoo, vifaa vya kuosha mikono, au usimamizi wa taka. Wanawake wanaopata hedhi wanaweza kuondolewa katika shughuli za msingi kama vile kula vyakula fulani au kushirikiana na watu. Aibu ya kitamaduni inayohusishwa na hedhi, na upungufu wa rasilimali, inaweza kuwazuia wanawake kwenda shule na kufanya kazi kila siku. Kulingana na Benki ya Dunia, wanawake milioni 500 duniani kote hawana huduma za kutosha za afya ya hedhi. ADRA na Kanisa la Adventist la Siku ya Saba (ADRA) ni shirika la Ulaya linalohamasisha watu wa Ulaya kuondoa umaskini wa hedhi. Pamoja tunataka kupinga ukosefu wa usawa wa kijamii na kushughulikia umaskini wa kipindi. Katika Machi 2023, ADRA Ulaya na idara za wizara za wanawake za Trans-Ulaya na Inter-Ulaya zilizindua mpango wa "Kukomesha kabisa umaskini wa kipindi". Kampeni hiyo itawahamasisha watu kufanya vyoo vya kuoga kuwa "vifaa kwa wanawake". "Mkutano wa Adventist unaomba watu wote waamini katika ""mfano wa kwanza wa afya ya hedhi"" na ""kufanya bidhaa za afya ya hedhi ziwepo katika vyoo vya nafasi zetu, kama vile ofisi za ADRA, majengo ya kanisa, shule, vyuo vikuu, taasisi za kanisa na wengine.""" - Kuunda "mahali pa wanawake" - nafasi ambapo bidhaa za afya za hedhi zitakuwa bure kwa wale wanaopambana kuzinunua. Hebu tupigane na aibu ya umaskini wa kipindi na kuunga mkono wasichana na wanawake wakati wa "siku hizo". Yaelekea hatutasuluhisha suala hilo gumu, lakini ni mwanzo. Na tunahitaji kuanza na sisi wenyewe kwanza. Sasa ni wakati mzuri wa kufungua milango ya maisha kamili kwa wanadamu wote, ikiwa ni pamoja na wanawake. 😊 Ni hatua gani za ziada kwa <unk>watengenezaji wa mabadiliko wenye shauku<unk>: - Kuelimisha na kuzungumza juu ya hedhi. Kadiri tunavyoelewa utaratibu huu wa asili wa kibiolojia, ndivyo tutakavyoogopa kidogo damu ya hedhi. Kadiri tunavyozungumza juu yake, ndivyo <unk>taboo<unk> itakavyokuwa karibu nayo. Kumbuka: sisi sote tulizaliwa kwa sababu mama zetu, nyanya zetu, na nyanya za nyanya zetu... walikuwa na vipindi. 😊 - Kusaidia kufanya bidhaa za hedhi ziwe nafuu, kwa mfano, kwa kuondoa <unk> kodi ya tamponi <unk> au kutoa bidhaa za bure katika shule na kupitia benki za chakula. Programu nyingi zinazosambaza bidhaa za kawaida za hedhi katika nchi zenye mapato ya juu hutoa vipodozi au tamponi za kutumiwa mara moja, wakati katika nchi zenye mapato ya chini na ya kati, vipodozi vya kutumiwa mara moja au vya kutumiwa tena hupendekezwa kuliko vipodozi. Bidhaa za bure na za bei nafuu ni muhimu kwa hali fulani na zinaweza kusimamia masuala ya muda mfupi. - Ushirikiano na jamii za mitaa kutambua kwa nini menstruators hawawezi kusimamia vipindi vyao hygienically na kwa heshima. Watafiti walifanya majaribio ya mbinu hiyo nchini Uganda. Jamii ya mahali hapo ilijibu kwa njia nzuri. Mabingwa wa ndani walifanya kazi na watafiti na watendaji kuondoa vizuizi vya hedhi katika jamii pana na kuunda suluhisho endelevu. Hii ilifikiwa kwa kuelimisha wanaume, wanawake, wavulana na wasichana kuhusu hedhi na kutoa upatikanaji wa bidhaa mbalimbali za hedhi zinazotengenezwa ndani ya nchi na za bei nafuu. -Kusanya fedha na kukusanya fedha ambazo zinaunga mkono wanawake na wasichana wanaopambana. "Kujulikana kama ""Christian Hulk"" (https: www.sharehedignity.org) ni jina la msichana wa kwanza wa Uingereza, ambaye amekuwa akifanya kazi ya utafiti wa watoto wa kibinadamu na amekuwa akifanya kazi ya utafiti wa watoto wa kibinadamu." Kuelewa na kushughulikia sababu za msingi za umaskini wa kipindi ni jambo pekee ambalo litaturuhusu kusonga kuelekea mazingira mazuri ya kipindi kwa kila mtu ambaye ana hedhi. Katika kipindi cha kawaida cha hedhi, mwanamke huanza kupata hedhi kwa muda unaolingana na miaka saba ya maisha yake. Kwa wastani, mtu mmoja katika kipindi cha hedhi hutumia tamponi 17,000 katika maisha yake. - Kipindi cha kwanza chaweza kukutana na sherehe, hofu au wasiwasi. Kwa kila msichana, hii inaashiria mabadiliko muhimu kwa wanawake - wakati ambapo wangefaidika na msaada wa familia na marafiki. - Wasichana wengi hawana uelewa kamili na sahihi wa hedhi kama mchakato wa kawaida wa kibiolojia. Kuelimisha wasichana kabla ya kipindi chao cha kwanza <unk> na, muhimu zaidi, wavulana <unk> juu ya hedhi hujenga ujasiri wao, inachangia mshikamano wa kijamii na kuhamasisha tabia nzuri. Habari hizo zapasa kutolewa nyumbani na shuleni. - Usafi duni wa hedhi waweza kusababisha hatari za afya ya kimwili na umehusianishwa na maambukizo ya viungo vya uzazi na ya njia za mkojo. Wasichana na wanawake wengi wana chaguzi chache za vifaa vya hedhi vya bei nafuu. Kutoa upatikanaji wa vifaa vya kibinafsi na maji salama na vifaa vya hedhi vya bei nafuu kunaweza kupunguza magonjwa ya urogenital. - Wasichana na wanawake wenye ulemavu na mahitaji maalum wanakabiliwa na changamoto za ziada na usafi wa hedhi. Wanaathiriwa sana na ukosefu wa upatikanaji wa choo na maji na vifaa vya kusimamia hedhi zao; - Wanawake wengi na wasichana hawawezi kupata vifaa vya kusimamia hedhi zao, haswa katika dharura <unk> majanga ya asili na migogoro. Katika hali za dharura, ADRA hutoa vifurushi vya heshima kwa wanawake na wasichana. Kwa mujibu wa ripoti hiyo, watu bilioni 2.3 duniani hawana huduma za msingi za usafi wa mazingira, na katika nchi zilizoendelea zaidi, ni asilimia 27 tu ya watu wana vifaa vya kuosha mikono kwa maji na sabuni nyumbani. Kuendesha vipindi vya hedhi ni changamoto kubwa kwa wanawake na wasichana matineja ambao hawana vifaa hivi vya msingi nyumbani. Karibu nusu ya shule katika nchi zenye mapato ya chini hazina maji ya kunywa, usafi wa mazingira na usafi wa kutosha kwa wasichana na walimu wanawake kusimamia vipindi vyao. Vifaa visivyo vya kutosha vinaweza kuathiri uzoefu wa wasichana shuleni, na kuwafanya wasisome shuleni wakati wa hedhi zao. Shule zote zinapaswa kutoa maji ya kuogelea na vyoo salama na safi kwa wasichana matineja. - Hali za afya za hedhi hutofautiana sana kutoka nchi moja hadi nyingine, lakini kuna uhitaji mkubwa ulimwenguni pote. Karibu robo ya watu duniani ni wanawake wenye umri wa kuzaa, yaani, wanaopata hedhi. Karibu asilimia 25 ya wanawake wanaopata hedhi hupata shida ya kupata hedhi, ambayo inamaanisha hawana kile wanachohitaji kusimamia hedhi zao. Hiyo ni zaidi ya watu milioni 500 kila mwezi. Kwa mfano, katika nchi za Ulaya, kuna shirika la kitiba linaloitwa WaterAid, ambalo linatoa huduma za kuondoa umaskini wa kawaida kwa wanawake, na shirika la UNICEF linatoa huduma ya kuondoa umaskini wa kawaida kwa wanawake. "Mkutano wa kimataifa wa uchumi wa dunia (World Economic Forum) unaoitwa ""Women's Day,"" unaoendeshwa na shirika la UNICEF, unafanyika katika mji wa Addis Ababa, nchini Marekani, na unafanyika katika mji wa Addis Ababa, nchini Marekani." Bristol ilikuwa mji wa kwanza wa Uingereza kuandaa mkutano wa juu wa umaskini wa kipindi cha ujauzito mwishoni mwa Januari 2019 ili kukabiliana na vita vya nchi inayoendelea, inayozidi kuwa maarufu, kuhakikisha wanawake kote nchini wanaweza kulipia na kupata bidhaa za msingi za usafi. Inakadiriwa kuwa wasichana 137,500 hukosa angalau siku moja ya shule kwa mwaka nchini Uingereza kwa sababu ya gharama au ukosefu wa upatikanaji wa bidhaa za usafi. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Shared Dignity: Global Poverty Forum,"" ""Shared Dignity: Global Poverty Forum"" na ""Shared Dignity: Global Poverty Forum"" ni sehemu ya mkutano wa kimataifa wa kimataifa wa watu maskini." UNICEF: Mzunguko wa hedhi unashutumiwa ulimwenguni pote (link: https: www.unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-menstruation)