What is period equity and why does it matter?
Periods have different impacts on different folks, depending on their situation. Some people experience barriers to accessing menstrual supplies, safe and sanitary washroom/bathing facilities, and accurate education regarding periods and menstrual health.
Period equity means ensuring that everyone who has periods can access necessary products, education, and support to manage their periods with dignity and without undue barriers. Period equity also includes the ability to discuss issues concerning menstruation without stigma.
Period poverty
Period poverty is the inability to access menstrual supplies due to financial limitations. Period poverty can also lead to the experience of shame, particularly without access to adequate washroom facilities. In Canada, approximately 1 in 5 of those who menstruate struggle to afford period products, which can impact health, particularly if people are forced to use menstrual products for longer than is considered safe.
Period poverty has a negative impact on multiple human rights, including the right to health, education, work, non-discrimination, gender equality, and to participate freely in all aspects of public life.
How students are impacted
On Canadian post-secondary campuses, students are speaking up about the ways that periods impact their lives and learning environments. The realities of period poverty, and of menstruation in general, means that students may not be able to afford period products, or may be caught unaware without supplies handy.
A recent UBC study found that 67% of student respondents disclosed lack of access to period supplies, and notably, “this has led them to miss or has negatively affected their ability to fully participate in an academic or extracurricular activity on campus.”
No student should be forced to miss learning opportunities or have to go without other life necessities in order to access and afford period supplies!