Blood. Sanitary Pads. Menstrual Cramps.

        3 terms to describe the monthly dilemma that every woman and girl across the globe is experiencing-- the 28 day menstrual cycle. While typing these words, I could feel the immense pain and raging surge of blood flowing out of my vagina and finding its way on the sanitary pad that I am using and yes I am currently on my third day of my monthly menstrual cycle. Interpersonally talking, there’s a question that bothers my mind and it goes like “Should I be ashamed of telling you my bloody experience while writing my article?” For almost 3 hours of pondering about the said question, I have mustered the courage and I have fully convinced myself that telling our monthly cycle should not be a story to be ashamed of.

Chapter 1: Not In the Same Boat

I should and I must never be ashamed of telling you that I am a woman and monthly periods are part of our battles. But I would like to take this opportunity to use an excerpt from the poem entitled “We are not in the same boat: A poem about covid-19” from an unknown author and the excerpt which goes like this:

“I heard that we are in the same boat. But it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa”

True enough that in our situation right now, we are not really on the same boat but we are only on the same storm and the excerpt above and the thought holds true and relatable on 800 million women and girls who are menstruating every day. But what happens to women who are living in vulnerable and financially challenged communities? How do they deal with their monthly cycle problem most especially that this trying times are testing our financial capacities? Not every woman has been given the privilege to have access to the aids that could help them on their monthly cycle. A lot of women most especially now during the pandemic has been experiencing probably one of the unseen problem of women—the period poverty.

Chapter 2: Period Poverty and the Pandemic

         According to American Medical Women’s Association (AMMWA) Period Poverty is defined as “inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and educations, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management.” On a recent research made by Plan International on health professionals in 30 countries, it was found out that 68% of the respondents cited that access to clean facilities and sanitary products is seen as problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, 58% of the respondents believed that increase prices for sanitary pads during the worldwide lockdown is also a problem. In the Philippines, period poverty has been an unaddressed issue in selected schools in Luzon as cited on 2012 assessment made by UNICEF and could be worsened due to the quarantine measures of the government and economic upheaval. Although during the pandemic, several companies and institutions have aided period poverty; collective efforts are still needed to address this issue experienced by women.

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         Monthly menstrual cycles and cramps will always be part of every woman or girl’s life and it should be bearable for them and for their pockets. But the said idea will always remain as an idea if we don’t do apply long term solutions and do something to end this long-cycle of poverty. As a former student legislator, my heart aspires that one day just like Scotland, Philippines might make sanitary products free for its female citizens. But I will only end this blog with a heavy heart and worry that period poverty might never be addressed and might continue to worsen now during the pandemic.

Keywords: menstrual cycle, menstrual cramps, period poverty