Period Poverty

News:Scotland may become the first country in the world to end ‘period poverty’ by passing the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill to make sanitary products free for all.

Facts:

About Period Poverty:

• Period poverty is often described as a lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints.

About Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill:

• The Scottish Parliament has passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill.
• It aims to develop a universal system in Scotland which will provide free sanitary products for anyone who needs them.

Additional information:

Period Poverty in India:

• Increased risk of disease:In India,an estimated 70% of all reproductive diseases are caused by poor menstrual hygiene as women often use dirty rags as a replacement for sanitary pads.
• Cultural stereotypes have a huge impact: Menstruation in India is often seen as a shameful conversation.Studies estimate that 71% of girls have no knowledge about menstrual health until after their first period.
• High Cost of Sanitation facilities:Approximately 70 million people in India live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 dollars per day.Hence for low-income households, the cost of sanitary pads is often unattainable.
• Period poverty in India affects education:On average, girls miss six days of class each month due to shame surrounding their periods or a lack of sanitary products.This contributes to the number of girls in India who dropout of school each year around 23%.

Initiatives by Indian Government:

• Janaushadhi Suvidha scheme:It aims to provide women with oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins at a meagre cost of Rs 2.50/pad across 3,600 Janaushadhi Kendras in the country.