Period Poverty impacts individuals’ economic prospects and has wider implications for society as a whole.
Reduced Workforce Participation: Without routine access to menstrual hygiene products, women are often forced to miss work, limiting opportunities for steady employment or career advancement.
Educational Disparities: Students who cannot afford period products often miss days of school each month. This can hinder a girl’s academic performance, widening gender equity gaps in education, and reduce her long-term earning potential.
Increased Healthcare Costs: Inadequate menstrual hygiene can lead to debilitating health issues, resulting in higher medical expenses and time away from work, further straining a household’s financial resources and economic stability.
Long-Term Economic Consequences: The cumulative effect of missed educational and economic opportunities due to Period Poverty can lead to or exacerbate the overall cycle of poverty, affecting individuals and communities over generations.
Impact on the Gross Domestic Product: The broader economic implications of Period Poverty can lead to reduced national GDP due to a less educated and less productive workforce.
Social Implications: Period Poverty affects social dynamics, contributing to gender inequality. By limiting the ability of over one-third of American women to fully participate in society, Period Poverty can have broad cultural and economic repercussions.
SOURCES:
- Dignity Grows Inc., et al. Period Poverty in America. USA, Dignity Grows Inc., 2023.
- Breaking the Cycle: Addressing period poverty as a critical public health challenge and its relation to sustainable development goals. Cureus, 2024.
- World Bank