The Bloody Truth: a look into period poverty
Periods can be hard, and being able to access the right products can be even harder. When financial situations get tough, menstruators often have to “put a sock in it”.
BY: Maya Shtangrud, Zulema Villanueva & Nallely Meza
Many struggle with period poverty and it affects them in a way where it is detrimental to both their physical and mental health. Not only are period products charged as luxury items, despite being necessities, but schools and public restrooms don’t provide sanitary products, making it difficult for those experiencing period poverty to access safe and inexpensive products. This causes them to turn to using unsanitary or even dangerous products instead. In this film, we discuss the causes and effects of period poverty on menstruators´ lives as well as what you can do to help.
BEFORE YOU WATCH THE FILM, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
- What do you think Period Poverty is?
2. Who does Period Poverty affect and how does it affect them?
3. Why is period poverty so detrimental to people’s health and well-being?
AFTER WATCHING THE FILM, LET’S ASK OURSELVES:
- What can you do to help alleviate this issue?
- What did you learn from this film?
- Why is period poverty so detrimental to people’s health and well-being?
- What do you plan on doing with this information? Will you use it to educate others or/and advocate for menstrual equity?
Organizations to support:
More information about period poverty:
- Period Poverty Affects Millions of Girls Globally
- 5 Things that Lead to Period Poverty
- Period Poverty #Stigma
- Period Poverty, Why it Should be Everybody’s Business
- Menstrual Health and Hygiene
- WATCH + SHARE THIS FILM
- Donate to Period Project LA to help them continue their mission
- Support organizations like PERIOD. and brands like August or Diva Cup that help alleviate period poverty
- Support brands and period companies that give back to the community and make their products more affordable
- Lobby and protest to get the tampon tax removed in your state
- Fight for access to hygiene products within your school
- Sign these Petitions:
Introduce a Price Cap on Disposable Period Products
National Petition to End Period Poverty
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