Lifestyle
Period Poverty Combating period inequality locally and globally By Ava Lombardi
D
espite the fact that half of the population menstruates, the topic of period health and hygiene is often avoided. With the lack of conversation about periods in the broadest sense, the issues that accompany the need for feminine products generally go unrecognized. Over 500 million women and girls experience period poverty, or a lack of access to menstrual materials, hygiene facilities, and education. Those who cannot afford period products are usually unable to attend work or school, their daily lives being greatly affected and damaged as a result. There has been a 35% increase in the need for period products since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. Many women have suffered immensely over these past two years, and continue to do so as a result of the price discrepancy between hygiene products for women and for men, otherwise known as the Pink Tax. Organizations in the greater Syracuse area like Happy Period Syracuse and I Support the Girls, are doing everything they can to combat period poverty within the local community. The Happy Period Syracuse chapter was founded in 2018 by sisters Madison
11 | The Good Life Spring 2022
and Quinn Searles. The organization is dedicated to providing menstrual products to those in need, while also trying to break down the stigma around menstruation that often makes it difficult for people to talk about the issue. “Happy Period Syracuse regularly hosts donation drives, packs menstrual kits, and distributes menstrual products to the Syracuse community,” the Searles’ say. “We also facilitate donation pick ups and drop offs for people who host donation drives through their schools, offices, and other groups.” Similarly, I Support the Girls has worked in communities and across the world since 2015 to provide essential feminine products. The organization firmly believes that a woman should never have to choose between feeding herself, and her own personal health and hygiene. Terri Lawless, the Syracuse Affiliate Director for I Support the Girls, explained that the organization is always looking to collect feminine products to help women in need. “We are looking for groups as well as individuals to sponsor drives to college essential items, especially pads, tampons,