What is period poverty?
An Always Confidence & Puberty Survey revealed that nearly 1 in 5 American girls have either left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to period products. At puberty, a girl’s confidence plummets, with the onset of menstruation marking the lowest moment for many girls. But the drop in confidence is so much worse for girls that lack access to period protection. It can force her to miss out on important confidence-building activities in the classroom, on the field, in extra-curricular school programs, and limit her potential far beyond puberty. While lack of access to period products is typically associated with girls in other countries, period poverty isn’t just someone else’s problem. It’s happening right here in North America.
Menstruation is challenging enough for women. Between cramps, heavy bleeding, and a general feeling of fatigue, that “time of month” can be a real hassle. But for some, a monthly period is more than a minor annoyance; it’s a time of humiliation and distress.
— Sheramy Tsai, registered nurse
Period Poverty in the
United States
"Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her."
- Michelle Obama