Menstrual health : is period poverty a matter of human rights?

Abstract

Period poverty is defined as a lack of monetary or physical means to obtain adequate sanitary products, a lack of knowledge on the menstrual cycle and how to handle menstruation, as well as inadequate access to private and safe sanitation spaces, clean water and soap, and waste services to manage menstruation in a healthy manner. Menstruators in both developed and developing countries can experience period poverty; however, current academic research is heavily focused on South Asian and African countries. Developing countries report higher levels of period poverty than developed countries within the European region. Efforts to end period poverty have included the provision of free sanitary products, and the lowering or abolishing of the VAT rate applied to such products. Furthermore, Scotland is the first country in the world to recognise the legal right to access free period products and has placed a legal obligation on local authorities to make period products free and accessible to all. Overall, further effort is required worldwide with regard to ensuring access to adequate knowledge on menstruation and access to adequate water and sanitation facilities to allow for healthy menstrual hygiene management. There are currently no international legal instruments which recognise any rights specific to menstruation. Most countries across the world do not recognise period poverty as a matter of human rights, including Malta, where efforts to end period poverty are non-existent. Existing human rights which belong to all individuals are being impacted due to the problem of period poverty. Matters such as health issues, absenteeism, the inability to freely participate in public life and the loss of life have all been attributed to period poverty. It can be concluded that period poverty is a matter of human rights.