Spread the Word: Period Poverty Awareness Week!
Period Poverty Awareness Week is upon us! From May 22nd to the 28th, we are bringing attention to the issue of period poverty and debunking the negative stigmas around menstruation.
First, what is period poverty?
You’ve come to the right place! Period poverty is defined as the lack of access to period products or the inability to seek them, whether that be from lack of education, funds or other reasons. 2 in 5 people with periods struggled to purchase period products within the past year due to lack of income. Between 2018 and 2021, that number increased by 35%, according to JLNO Period Supplies Bank. To stop the increase, we must provide education and products to those who don’t have access to them!
Period Poverty Awareness Week does just that! As many coalitions and advocacy groups come together for this week, widespread knowledge and access to products will help to draw people out of period poverty and become aware of the realities that exist outside of their scope of life!
Thank you, Governor Edwards!
The Office of the Governor reinstated the Louisiana Proclamation of Period Poverty Awareness Week again this year! We are so grateful for this proclamation, as it establishes the existence of this phenomenon and advocates for awareness. Thank you, Governor John Bel Edwards, for seeing our struggle and helping us provide for our community!
You can help, too! Donate this week to help us continue providing for our BR community!
Here are some graphics so that you can help educate others, too. On this sheet, you’ll find a fact for EVERY DAY of Period Poverty Awareness Week and ways you can help end period poverty!
Double whammy: Menstrual Hygiene Day!
May 28th, the last day of Period Poverty Awareness Week, is Menstrual Hygiene Day! People who suffer from period poverty have resorted to using other products such as socks, toilet paper, newspaper, and even plastic! Some menstruators have missed school or work because of their period due to lack of access to products and the embarrassment that follows. This can be extremely damaging their academic outcomes and day-to-day lives.
When dealing with a natural bodily function like periods, we should be radically more accepting and actively working towards crushing stereotypes. That means standing up for yourself and others against people who shame period care, educating them, and using empathy to understand people’s worldview! Use this day and our resources to help spread awareness and care for all menstruators!
The education doesn’t stop after this week, sign up for our newsletter or go to our website to see how you can further educate yourself and others!
Rep What You Believe In!
You can also rep what you believe in this week by ordering one of our bright and bold equity, period. sweatshirts! This sweatshirt not only demands putting an end to period poverty and squashing stigmas, but it’s also super cute. :)
