Period poverty philadelphia. are collaborating on Thursday, May 25 from 12 p.

Period poverty philadelphia Lack of reliable access to period management supplies keeps many girls and women from fully participating in work and school. Feel Period poverty is largely driven by cultural factors that stigmatise menstruation. Medley established a bank of free feminine hygiene The Philadelphia Commission for Women and No More Secrets MBS Inc. A study of low-income women in St. With October 9th is Period Action Day, an international call to action to end period poverty, or lack of access to menstrual products. 31 at 6:30 pm (central time). This is down from 25. You’ll relieve someone from worry, shame, and fear during that time of the month and raise awareness in our communities about the social, economic, and health barriers faced by those living from low to Gaines says period poverty is an issue of public and personal health, dignity, and well-being. Instead, they used cloth, rags, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, or children’s diapers. Our survey showed that many women are being forced to resort to makeshift measures to manage their periods - which can be Period products are evolving, and so is the way people talk about menstruation — but period poverty is still a major issue across Australia. Social, cultural, financial and political barriers to promote menstrual health, stigma and discrimination and the elimination of period poverty have also been overlooked. Crime as a The “Pink Tax”, or “Tampon Tax”, also contributes to period poverty as well. Many issues facing Our Purpose Eradicate period poverty. No More Secrets MBS, Inc. 4%, and 200 gangs operated throughout the city, with 96% of members being Black males. At the time of this Toronto, ON – May 24, 2023 – Plan International Canada, a global humanitarian and development organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, has released the results of a new survey that sheds light on the pervasive issue of period poverty and stigma in Canada. In many conservative societies, religious and cultural taboos often force women into seclusion during their periods and myths and shame The Pad Project is the nonprofit behind the 2019 Academy Award-winning documentary short Period. to better understand period poverty in teens specifically. Almost every day has a different period-related name — Menstruation Monday, Tampon Tuesday, to name a few — and she Period PovertyAwareness Week May 12-18, 2025 The Alliance for Period Supplies created Period Poverty Awareness Week to draw attention to the issue of period poverty and the negative impact it has on people who menstruate. With Period Products in Schools Period Products in Schools We can help our students! We need to give all U. In August 2022 a revolutionary law was passed in Leading the fight against Period Poverty through direct product support, vibrant partnerships, and data-driven social policy change. In 2021, Scotland became the first country in Period poverty is widespread in the U. Practitioners, medical providers, and public health professionals may have limited knowledge of period poverty, what it entails, and who it impacts, but they have great potential to address it and associated menstrual inequities in their work. SPOT stands for “safety programming for optimal transformation,” and its goal is to reduce My interest in menstrual health and period poverty really sparked from reading a Philadelphia news article on the train one day in July 2019. Overview In many ways, 2024 is a year of Lynette Medley knows that women experiencing period poverty and cannot afford products like pads and tampons can often feel powerless. For a third time, Thinx and PERIOD. The partnership with Drexel College of Nursing and Health professions will help decrease health disparities in our communities. Every person should be able Period poverty, or the inability to afford menstrual products, is a serious issue especially in developing countries, an issue menstruating girls and women grapple with monthly and a spotlight topic on Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on 28 May. The survey reveals that one-quarter (25%) of women who menstruate in BBC research reveals that women in Africa spend up to 13% of their income on menstrual products. About 400,000 residents—including roughly 37 percent of the city’s children under the age of 18—live below the federal poverty line, which is $19,337 in annual income for an adult living with two children. For Release: 9/27/2024. “SPOT” (Safety, Programming, Optimal Transformation) functions as a safe welcoming space providing acceptance, understanding, education, period care, menstrual hygiene resources and aids the Our findings describe the incidence, distribution, and possible ways to alleviate period poverty. Existing Canadian research has primarily Understanding Period Poverty. We're 67 ,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. 7 percent, the poverty rate is the highest among the nation’s 10 largest cities. During the event, Elzey emphasized the importance Lynette Medley is no stranger to period poverty. Period poverty exists here, too, said Lynette Medley, who delivers free supplies to more than 75 Philadelphia homes each week. Donate . And it’s happening right here, in Philadelphia. It was finally here: the beginning of womanhood. 6%, the poverty rate in Philadelphia is 80. This is called period poverty, and chances are we each know someone who has experienced this need -- a neighbor, a coworker, a friend. According to federal guidelines for this year, 200% of poverty translates to $40,440 for a parent with one child and goes up to $105,440 for a family of eight. House Bill 1708 Overlooked Public Health Crisis. FIGHTING "PERIOD POVERTY": It's a necessity not usually discussed, but when families can't afford feminine products, it's a problem. Poverty in Philadelphia 9 Search from Period Poverty stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Parker wants to raise awareness of the issue, also known as period poverty, in the Philadelphia also continued to struggle with high poverty, although its poverty rate declined to 21. In a study conducted on teens in the United States, one in every five girls struggled to afford period care products (Davies 2021). “When we first began researching period poverty,” Mya and Nicole write, “we quickly realized schools are often the first supplier of feminine products for students in need as food stamps cannot be used to cover the cost of these items. 10 largest cities had relatively small net changes in their poverty rates during this period, while many of the 10 poorest large cities had significant increases. 65 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5. students the best opportunity to learn and thrive. End of Sentence. One Philadelphia nonprofit is working to fix that. f`; t|X-ðìò÷/fðnA êx’ October 9th is Period Action Day, an international call to action to end period poverty, or lack of access to menstrual products. [2] The American Medical Women's Association defines period poverty as "the Later in 2021 Medley opened The Spot Period in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. A mother-daughter team is bringing this PHILADELPHIA — When Lynette Medley encountered women who were using newspapers and socks because they couldn’t afford menstrual supplies, she took action. Education about menstrual health. #Blackgirlsbleed" NEW HAVEN, CONN. Unmet need and harm from poor menstrual health in low-and- middle-income countries have been documented, but with little empirical research undertaken in high income countries. Even when 27. You don't even have to leave your bed to watch lol. Helping Women Period is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, committed to supplying no cost menstrual health products to people that menstruate who are either homeless or low-income. m. No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit has created the only menstrual hygiene bank and in-home delivery service in Philadelphia to end period poverty in their community. 4% in 2011. In November 2020, Scotland in the U. Grounded in research supported by a PolicyLab pilot grant, the lived But for many across Europe period poverty is still an issue. But not everyone knows that one in four people struggle to purchase period supplies due to lack of income. I had just started my post-doctoral Period poverty—the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products—affects approximately 25% of women, particularly those in low-income communities, leading to physical, emotional, Period products have changed immensely in recent decades, but a study shows there is still a long way to go to alleviate period poverty. [1] In total, there are around 500 million women and girls that cannot manage their periods safely due to lack of menstrual products and for fear of shame. 5%. , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Any donation amount is appreciated and goes a long way to purchasing products. We received the 2022 Get Help – If you or someone you know needs period supplies, there may be assistance in your town. We encourage everyone to join the movement and become advocates to help #endperiodpoverty – start a conversation about period poverty, Mike Greenidge talks with Ciarra Lambert about period poverty, what it is and how people can help. The United States is also plagued by period poverty. When I first got my period at the age of 13, I was excited. This basic biological function should not be a barrier to social, emotional, educational and economic opportunities for youth. Period poverty (also known as menstrual poverty or menstrual inequality) happens when people who menstruate don’t have regular access to safe and hygienic period products, basic sanitation services, and/or menstrual hygiene education. Governments are increasingly taking action to tackle period poverty and pain - but more can be done. and Thinx The Harris Poll Period poverty and Mental health BMC Women's Health The Politicization of Menstrual Justice The Finch Media. national rate of 10. Governor Shapiro’s new budget proposal includes $3 million to increase access and alleviate period poverty. Read below as she discusses period poverty here in Philadelphia and how her organization is working towards making Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Menstruation and Period Poverty, 6/9/2021 8:00:00 AM - 6/9/2024 9:00:00 AM, At what age should pediatricians worry if a patient hasn’t had their first period? How can they help patients manage chronic period pain? What is “period poverty” and how can doctors help? Shelby Davies, MD, a fellow in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Period poverty is a global community health dilemma that has long been overlooked. Learn Several bills that address period poverty were pending at the time the legislature passed the budget in July, including two from state Rep. , “Unmet In 2019, the documentary Period. The hope is to lift at least 100,000 people out of poverty by Over the course of a semester, my affinity group spoke to representatives from No More Secrets, a nonprofit created to address period poverty in the Philadelphia area, about the issue of period poverty in order to better understand how we could use our privilege to help those in need. Together, they wanted to understand the physiological 1 in 4 people with periods have missed school or work because they can’t afford the menstrual products they need. C. 9 million menstrual products in 2020 — and the opening of The SPOT hub in Germantown, Philadelphia, this From a center in Philadelphia, Lynette Medley distributes free tampons, menstrual cups, pads and underwear to those who lack access because of financial barriers. Global sanitization and menstrual awareness need to improve overall. The cost of living crisis: makeshift methods to manage periods. Period poverty is a reality for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Period poverty affects anyone capable of menstruating, which is equivalent to nearly half of the world’s population [7,8]. • Among racial and ethnic groups, Hispanics have the highest poverty rate in Philadelphia at 37. A recent report on the rural counties of Gansu Province by the Women's Studies Institute of China (Chinese Women’s Study Journal, Vol 6, Nov 2020) found that many counterfeit and Period poverty happens everywhere, but it’s harder to have a period in sub-Saharan Africa . When measuring poverty rates it's usually measured by the percentage of people who live below the federal poverty line. We don’t believe that anyone should be at a disadvantage just because they menstruate. [2] The American Medical Women's Association defines period poverty as "the Free period products on offer at libraries The scheme aims to break the stigma around periods by offering products in Staffordshire, the council says. I had just started my post-doctoral fellowship here at Jefferson, and was in somewhat of a “research rut. By one estimate, they could cost you up to $18,000 over the course of a lifetime. And they aren’t getting any cheaper: Thanks to inflation, the price of both tampons and pads increased 10 percent just in the past year. K. Chapters work to advance PERIOD. End of Sentence won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short, which revealed the reality of period poverty and stigma in India. “It is definitely something that has been an ongoing concern and really No More Secrets is a Philadelphia-based organization known for creating The SPOT, the nation’s first menstrual hub and uterine wellness center. Additionally, in the United Kingdom, 50% of girls said that they were unable to afford menstrual In other countries, "period poverty" is attracting attention, and there are movements to reduce sanitary products' economic burden. Inspired by the film, we dove into our own research of period poverty, which is the lack of access to feminine hygiene products, like pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. Darisha Parker (D. 35 U. To decrease period poverty, menstrual products need to be made more affordable and accessible. Our global network can be a tool for young activists to learn how to best serve those experiencing period poverty. * PERIOD POVERTY FACTS But 1 in 3 low-income menstruating people will miss work school or similar events due to lack of access to period products. the founder of nonprofit No More Secrets MBS, Inc. In fact, the global feminine hygiene product market was expected to grow from $25. The event will be held VIRTUALLY, on Jan. Menstrual healthcare in prison cannot be understood as an insular issue, but rather as a complex and intersectional problem; particularly in terms of race (Schrag, 1998): Black woman are seven-times more likely to be imprisoned than their White counterpart, due to systemic racism in U. If we take both Chart Our findings describe the incidence, distribution, and possible ways to alleviate period poverty. “Period poverty is not only a lack of access to menstrual products, it’s also about a lack of access to health information and menstrual hygiene management information,” says al Jabaly, who We are Bloody Good Period. That’s why Thinx and PERIOD are calling on Congress to fund comprehensive impact studies on period poverty’s effects on students and their access to education. Background The menstrual needs of girls and women are important to health, education, and well-being. . For girls living in poverty, menstruation becomes a monthly sentence of shame and isolation. 1; 2; 3; Learn more about Period poverty. , about rampant period poverty in India. A groundbreaking, comprehensive look into the prevalence of Period Poverty in the USA and its impacts on individuals, households, and communities. With your donation, we can buy in bulk. It is the lack of access to: Menstrual products. It makes sense that period poverty would be an A third of teens and young adults in the U. Menstrual hygiene and education also need to be taken more seriously by governments, decision makers, and educators. Fatty, who operates a Fighting menstrual inequality and stigma, advocating for equal access to menstrual products and comprehensive education. For those impacted, Period Poverty affects their schooling, work Assessing period poverty, period-related class disruption, and avoidance of menstrual hygiene management on campus among students and to identify recommendations for action at the University of Illinois Chicago and other urban universities indicates that students continue to face obstacles to menstruation management due to inadequate support related to For both children and adults, poverty rates escalated from the 2006–2010 period to the 2010–2014 period, but subsequently diminished from the 2010–2014 period up to the 2017–2021 period. With the average age of menarche, or first menstruation, being 11. 8% of children, 33. 9 percent, followed by blacks at 30. It’s the nation’s first menstrual hub where they offer a safe space and free menstrual products for marginalized folks. PERIOD. to commemorate National Menstrual Philadelphia struggles with period poverty, which is defined by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) as an “inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools At the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, three Dornsife School of Public Health master’s students worked together to complete an Applied Practical Experience at the Center for The brick-and-mortar location, The SPOT Period, will provide menstrual health support for underserved populations and continue the work to end period poverty. 5 percent of those surveyed either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with a statement that menstrual supplies like Our Purpose Eradicate period poverty. With 4,306 Followers, 218 Following, 1,390 Posts - The Spot Period Hub (@thespotperiodhub) on Instagram: "The Spot Period 喝 The world’s 1st Menstrual Hub and Mobile Clinic servicing vulnerable communities & combating period poverty. empowers local activists with grassroots training and education to find an approach that is compatible with their community. Dive into our educational resources here. Parker wants to raise awareness of the issue, also known as period poverty, in the state Capitol building. No student should have to miss Our findings describe the incidence, distribution, and possible ways to alleviate period poverty. PG. At The Spot Period, they provide a three-month supply of period products, giving out 63,000 products a week and servicing more than 1,000 in the same week, She offers her Brief But Spectacular take on ending period poverty. Thursday, December 19, 2024. In 1965, North Philadelphia teenager Darryl “Cornbread” McCray, the Nonprofits including Period. On “I was thinking, ‘This should not be an item that’s inaccessible,’ and also recognizing that the pandemic was causing so many hardships,” Aragoncillo, 33, of Philadelphia, told TODAY. are also impaired by Gender diverse folks are disproportionately affected by period poverty with 83% experiencing period poverty; 78% of people with a disability found it difficult to purchase period products; Tasmania is shown to have the highest instance of period poverty among Australia’s states and territories and Australia’s Capital Territory (ACT) has the There will be no change to period poverty unless a bill comes into play worldwide, that will provide menstrual equity for all. We believe no one should have to go without these products in the same way that no one should have to go Period poverty is an issue that is not confined to countries that have high rates of poverty, but is experienced in even the wealthiest countries. Across several cultures the menstrual stigma is a perception that menstruation is a “dirty” or “impure” thing that needs to be kept in private. • Over the past 45 years, poverty in the city has expanded geographically from Lynette Medley, 51, gestures while she speaks about the SPOT Period Menstrual Hub in the Germantown section of Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. And we help everybody talk about periods. Cite Report: MLA (9th edition) APA (7th edition) AMA (11th edition) Chicago; Obstet Gynecol Sci; Dignity Grows Menstrual equity combats both period poverty and stigma. With Period products have changed immensely in recent decades, but a study shows there is still a long way to go to alleviate period poverty. Judy Elzey, the director of the Cedar Park homeless residential facility in Philadelphia, spoke at Period@Penn's first event of the semester on Sept. Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, sexual and reproductive health education, safe waste management, and adequate facilities. Additionally, food stamps do not cover menstrual products for women living below the poverty line. and around the world to establish pad-making enterprises, distribute menstrual products, and implement menstrual health education program Philadelphia 2024 The state of the city REPORT April 11, 2024 Read me: 4 min Projects:Philadelphia Research and Policy & Philadelphia Kriston Jae Bethel /Pew Charitable Trusts Editor’s note: The Figure 12 note was updated on April 16, 2024, to reflect that the commung. Schools and federal prisons have recently Period poverty prevents menstruating individuals from participating in work, school, and community. DOWNLOAD REPORT. Besides, menstrual products are not considered The 2021 poverty rate in Philadelphia was 22. The SPOT Period | 150 followers on LinkedIn. Founded in the Fall of 2023, the Period Poverty Project's mission has been to provide free menstrual and reproductive health products, offer volunteer opportunities, and help create a more equitable campus environment. Housing conditions in these neighborhoods Over the course of a semester, my affinity group spoke to representatives from No More Secrets, a nonprofit created to address period poverty in the Philadelphia area, about the issue of period poverty in order to better understand how we could use our privilege to help those in need. » READ MORE: How drug overdose deaths have plagued During this period, plumbing poverty increased by 124,000 households in urban areas (323,000 to 447,000, a 38. • Over the past 45 years, poverty in the city has expanded geographically from Philadelphia’s central role in the birth of a new nation is not to be underestimated. 3% of Hispanic residents, and 35% of adults with less than a high school diploma Period poverty — when someone cannot access period products and related hygiene resources — affects people all over the world, including in the U. An estimated 1 in 4 high school students in the U. They reach out to the Alliance for Menstruation is a basic fact of human existence, yet millions of people in the US struggle to afford –– or can't afford –– products like tampons and pads, a problem known as period poverty. The group emphasizes the importance of open conversation about periods and women’s reproductive health, saying that reducing the stigma is an important step in ending period poverty and subsequent mental Period poverty isn’t new, but the coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn that followed have only exacerbated the problem. al. We give period products to those who can’t afford them, and provide menstrual education to those less likely to access it. The impact of period poverty extends far beyond the individual. With the grant, Nya, Lynette and Dr. Sign In / Sign Up. Defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education (including but not limited to menstrual hygiene products, washing facilities, and waste Philadelphia continues to have some of the highest rates of poverty in the United States. In 2021, they opened the country’s first The Policy Lab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia defines period poverty as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products, While period poverty first gained attention internationally due to an increased percentage of menstruating girls dropping out of school in places like India and Sub-Saharan Africa, girls and women in the U. On top of that, 21 states still tax menstrual products as luxury items, rather than as basic necessities. AAP Home Policy Advocacy PediaLink (WHTM) — Period poverty in schools is an ongoing problem Pennsylvania lawmakers and organizations are looking to solve. Celebrating May 28 as Women?s Hygiene Day, recognizing the urgent need for the City to invest in addressing period poverty, and calling for an expanded period equity effort centered on educating and supplying communities across Philadelphia with women?s hygiene resources. CALL FOR ACTION STRATEGY IMPACT INCREASE INCOME A big part of the learned behavior of surviving poverty is putting stronger needs above your period. R. Our Vision Equal, affordable access to menstrual health products for all. 7%. SEE OUR WORK IN ACTION: Human dignity should not be considered a luxury, yet over 35% of menstruators in the U. The Pachamama team has a mission to combat period poverty in refugee crises and make sure having a period is not yet another challenge for these vulnerable people. ” I felt like my work examining contraceptive-use behaviors and sexual risk among young adults had run its course Period Poverty in America. On July 16, 2024, Pennsylvania lawmakers One in three teens have no access to period products, shocking poverty study finds ‘Youth who are living in neighborhoods with high opportunity had similar rates of experiencing menstrual An estimated 1 in 4 high school students in the U. 9 years and earlier onset of menarche reported in menstruators from Association between Period Poverty and Selected Characteristics . , a comprehensive sexual health and awareness They provide consultation services, facilitate trauma informed comprehensive programming, and provide educational training and workshops. The project also provided reproductive and menstrual education to girls and women in the My interest in menstrual health and period poverty really sparked from reading a Philadelphia news article on the train one day in July 2019. The latest studies indicate over one-third of Americans who menstruate cannot afford monthly period products and hygiene necessities, resulting in chronic school absenteeism, un- and under-employment, and potentially critical medical issues. I wanted to formally invite the group to the next phase of this project, a community conversation with Chicago's NPR-affiliate, WBEZ to discuss the results of the survey, period poverty and menstruation in general. Clean and safe sanitation facilities. We believe no one should have to go without these products in the same way that no one should have to go Mike Greenidge talks with Ciarra Lambert about period poverty, what it is and how people can help. 3% of Hispanic residents, and 35% of adults with less than Last updated 7/16/24. For many years now Philadelphia has had so many people living below this line. Casola is with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Media Contact: Lisa Robinson 630-626-6084 lrobinson@aap. For the first time, get 1 free month of iStock exclusive photos, illustrations, and more. On February 20th, 2021, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. The State of the Period continues to be the only publicly available study tracking the impact of period poverty — the inability to access menstrual hygiene products — among U. We take a multi-pronged approach to achieving menstrual equity by partnering with grassroots organizations in the U. 3% of Hispanic residents, and 35% of adults with less than Period poverty impacts a staggering 500 million people globally—a systemic problem that has gotten worse during COVID-19. Period poverty in China is exacerbated by poor-quality products, environments that do not support hygiene, and a lack of education on managing menstruation, especially in rural areas. Period poverty is a term used to describe a lack of access to proper menstrual products and the education needed to use them effectively. She offers her Brief But Spectacular Period poverty is a global issue that needs to be addressed as a public health crisis. , OCTOBER 10, 2024-- More than three-quarters of Americans believe that period supplies should be available free-of-charge at public schools and public universities. 1 in 4 students who menstruate experienced period poverty in 2021 (up from 1 in 5 in 2019, according to the State of the Period study by PERIOD). Victoria Masterson Senior Writer, Forum Stories. have teamed up to report on insights and changes in period poverty and stigma in our annual survey. The second hypothesis is that Economic wellness plays a major role in determining the victims of Period Poverty. We recognise that girls globally continue to face multifaceted challenges posed by period poverty In Bangladesh, young girls silently battle against period poverty, where 1 in 3 lack access to menstrual hygiene products. Continued “white flight” and population growth in the suburbs meant that the poor became increasingly segregated in neighborhoods with low concentrations of the non-poor, especially within Philadelphia. While the term is relatively new, it describes a historical and near-universal issue, one that disproportionately affects low-income By the 1970s, Philadelphia’s poverty rate was 15. For these women and girls, Period Poverty can heavily impact their mental health, access to education, and daily activities, among other things. Despite its being a public health issue and a significant concern for numerous Canadians, there is a lack of peer-reviewed research on period poverty in Canada. However, because of the scope of our group, the primary way PHILADELPHIA - A lawmaker has introduced a new bill hoping to make it mandatory to provide free menstrual hygiene products in bathrooms at all public schools in Pennsylvania. The group emphasizes the SPOT on the Go! is the newly launched mobile menstrual health clinic from No More Secrets, a Philly-based nonprofit fighting period poverty. A 2019 study of low-income women in St. They serve PA, NJ, and DE, and they ship By your utilization of the Alliance for Period Supplies Program– through discussions, and community engagement – you can make the Philadelphia area a better place for all. By 1980, poverty had become far deeper and more widespread in North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and Camden. Gender inequality, discrimination, stigma and lack of basic services like toilets and Whether you want to share your experience with period poverty, make a call to action, or speak to your experience as a young activist, we are the platform for you! Submit to The Rag. , proudly opened the nation's first menstrual hub, "The SPOT Period", located in Germantown Philadelphia, PA. “I’m happy to come work here because I meet and work with other people,” said Ms. *Menstruation Station Locations* Main Campus: Women's Outreach and Advocacy Center, Winnet Student Life Building S3-09 Affiliation 1 Allison R. The Period poverty is the lack of sufficient resources needed to manage menses, such as toilet, bathing, and laundering facilities; No More Secrets, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania‒based grassroots organization founded and operated by a Black mother‒daughter team, is a sexuality awareness organization that has developed the only feminine hygiene bank and in-home In partnership with Cycle Sisters, a West Philadelphia-based nonprofit, CGWH will distribute the collection to neighbors in need. This is sometimes referred to as “period poverty. 20. Donate menstrual supplies to local shelters, and by supporting organizations that supply products to people in Philadelphia who are unable to afford them. all through No More Secrets is a Philadelphia-based organization known for creating The SPOT, the nation’s first menstrual hub and uterine wellness center. “Period poverty” refers to the prevalent phenomena of being unable to afford products such as pads, tampons, or liners to manage What is period poverty? Period poverty has to do with a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene, education, hygiene facilities, waste management or a combination of these, and affects an estimated number of 500 million people worldwide (Geng, 2021). 16. In North Philadelphia, substance use, obesity and other visible issues are prioritized, but what we’re forced to hide—such as menstruation—falls to the side because issues like this aren’t visible to funders, policymakers and nonprofits. 16% higher. We Are A Proud Partner of. are collaborating on Thursday, May 25 from 12 p. THE PROBLEM. February 4, 2020. , Philadelphia). Reinforce the dignity of those impacted by inequality. These so-called allied programs are “independent community-based nonprofit organizations that collect, warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local communities,” according to the alliance. The Action Needed to End Period Poverty. Managingaperiodrequiresresourceslike: MenstrualHealthEducation Philadelphia also continued to struggle with high poverty, although its poverty rate declined to 21. activists have made strides for menstrual equity in their communities around the world. Lynette Medley is the founder and CEO of No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. This represents more than 41,000 fewer people in poverty in 2021 than in 2016 (this change is outside of the margin of error), while the city’s population grew by about 8,500 over this time period. 7% in 2016, and down from 28. 7% of children were at risk of poverty in Catalunya in 2017, 14 experiences of period poverty among children and adolescents have not been explored. Sign in The definition of period poverty is " being unable to access sanitary products and having a poor knowledge of menstruation often due to financial constraints" this means that the women who experience period poverty have little education on the subject and also may not have access to cups, and another major flaw in your argument is that in many Period poverty affects millions of people who menstruate, but there is limited research to fully understand the scope and impact. org. #Blackgirlsbleed" Boxes of tampons are stacked in a room inside the SPOT Period Menstrual Hub in the Germantown section of Philadelphia in 2021. “I would say it takes up about 75% of our time now,” she said. 1882), which would improve access to PERIOD POVERTY: Limited or uncertain access to basic menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints. When unable to afford or find appropriate menstrual products, individuals may resort to alternative, poorer quality items, PERIOD. Although the United States is considered one of the most developed nations in the world, period poverty is In richer and poorer countries alike, period poverty (as well as the stigma surrounding periods) has a real, lasting and often damaging impact on people’s lives. Research shows that 1 in 4 women struggle to purchase period products due to a lack of income, and 1 in 5 low-income women skip school or work because they don't have Called The SPOT Period, the location will open next weekend, on Saturday, Feb. The impact of period poverty. 17, 2021. “Period poverty is a public health crisis and period poverty combined with period stigma just makes accessibility to these products limited PHILADELPHIA - A lawmaker has introduced a new bill hoping to make it mandatory to provide free menstrual hygiene products in bathrooms at all public schools in Pennsylvania. Feel During her time there, Leslie helped with Maji Safi Projects’ period poverty campaign, which consisted of creating sewing workshops for local women, making washable, reusable menstrual pads and delivering the pads to schools in the semi-rural area of Mombasa. “I am doing about 150 deliveries in Ashley Rapp and Sidonie Kilpatrick Master's Students in Epidemiology. | On February 20th, 2021, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc She said more girls are struggling with “period poverty” than she would have expected. The Pachamama Project is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation growing a global network of volunteers to make reusable sanitary pads for refugees around the world dealing with period poverty. (µ/ý XLÀzDy:3°HÈV ÀŽ^#{ûñ`Nÿù:³ëF·L­²P ‘¤O亓‚Çácÿĉ{žÓÜÿAÿAågW ° „ ijvl€€h ¥³­zÊ 8880t×1`¦‹ÞÏ R¦§S'ÑÈ¡® ¾i$ ù„b”$ ½”²% ¹”2‚ï L‡[ˆ]\M|ÓÀ\åbLѹfëÛ;I®K³S¢ Þæui6J4ò9 CÕ[ U —±•¡Ìû ñ­$ ò Ê[Ö/ 1Ì ç˜Ó™·c|˜ñõŠËcÏ. Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes countries like Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, faces significant barriers to proper menstrual hygiene. suffer from Period Poverty, lacking the financial resources to purchase basic menstrual hygiene necessities. Ed, Founder/CEO of No More Secrets, a recent Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF) grantee. The Philadelphia City Council has unveiled initiatives aimed at reducing the number of people living in poverty in the city by 25%. Grounded in research supported by a PolicyLab pilot grant, the lived Meet Immediate Response Grantee No More Secrets: Addressing Period Poverty in Philadelphia. B4 WHEREAS, One in four women in America struggle to purchase menstrual Period poverty exists here, too, said Lynette Medley, who delivers free supplies to more than 75 Philadelphia homes each week. Today, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has found, the disparity between Black and White wealth at the median in the city is as big as it was in the While she knows that breaking period stigma and tackling period poverty will take more than just her volunteer efforts, she believes the Grab-n-Flow can be a step toward ending both. Nevertheless, some frustrated Black teenagers who experienced urban decline refused to cope with life through gang activity and drug use. Allied Programs. As the founder of No More Secrets, a non-profit advocating for menstrual equity in marginalized communities across the USA, she has been in the same situation as many of the people she aims to help. Economic Wellness and Period Poverty. states and over 20 countries, PERIOD. Their approach has varied greatly across the country, with policies to improve access to products being introduced in some, but not all, areas. 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their periods, falling behind . The poverty rate for the elderly dramatically increases towards the end of 10 largest cities had relatively small net changes in their poverty rates during this period, while many of the 10 poorest large cities had significant increases. Besides, menstrual products are not considered Penn Period Project is a student-led nonprofit organization focusedon serving menstruators in need by distributing menstrual products; leadingdiscussions and educational workshops in the community to dismantle the stigmaassociated with period poverty; and fighting for systemic change towardsmenstrual equity and reproductive justice in the Greater Philadelphia area and The Philadelphia Poverty Commission has the power to drive these bold investments and guide implementation through a community-driven accountability framework and with the partnership of City Council’s senior leadership, the Kenney administration, and community, civic, academic, and philanthropic organizations. During his budget address on February 6, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro expressed the need for public schools across the state to provide free period products to students. Furthermore, 4 in 5 students have missed class, or know Period poverty goes beyond the inability to buy pads or tampons. Skip to content. However, because of the scope of our group, the primary way Thus, the first-ever study on Period Poverty in India, which is done at such a large scale, mentions that Period Poverty exists in India, proving the first hypothesis true. Published: 10. At 25. There are many different factors that contribute Period poverty also significantly impacts the ability of young menstruators to succeed in school, with 84% reported to have personally or known someone who missed class due to lack of MHP access (De La Rosa 2019; Smith and Straus 2019). Quaker City Alumnae Chapter Chartered in 1976 Crime is inextricably linked to Philadelphia's shiftng economic fortunes. ”. For years, Medley and her daughter, Nya McGlone, 29, delivered free menstrual products door to door to women in Philly facing period poverty. 4% increase) and decreased by 171,000 households in rural areas Philly’s poverty. Our Mission Facilitate better access to menstrual health products to individuals in need; advocate for equal and tax-free access to these essential produc Lynette Medley knows that women experiencing period poverty and cannot afford products like pads and tampons can often feel powerless. Join CGWH in creating change; donate pads, tampons, and other menstrual products to celebrate National Period Day. A new poll conducted by YouGov for the Alliance for Period Supplies found that 76. 37 billion in 2021 to $26. teenage students. Louis, Missouri, found that 64 percent were unable to afford menstrual hygiene supplies during the previous year. Menstrual hygiene products are necessities, not “When we first began researching period poverty,” Mya and Nicole write, “we quickly realized schools are often the first supplier of feminine products for students in need as food stamps cannot be used to cover the cost of these items. A mother-daughter duo in Philadelphia — Lynette Medley and her daughter, Nya McGlone — started The SPOT, a community-funded project to provide Source: Bloody Good Period Period poverty is often talked about in terms of financial hardship, where people struggle to afford period products. Image: UNICEF/South Sudan/2018/Chol. can’t afford or otherwise access menstrual products, according to new research from Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D. ’s mission of eradicating period poverty This semester, Period@Penn has also focused on educating the Penn community about the urgency of period poverty through a new speaker series. In 2019, the UK government pledged to end period poverty by 2030. Compared to the national average of 12. And reach out to your representatives and urge In July, No More Secrets launched its latest social action campaign, #BlackGirlsBleed, to help raise awareness of and end period poverty, address systemic racism in the menstrual health In Philadelphia, almost a quarter of residents live in poverty, with Black residents being about twice as likely to live in poverty as white residents, making good menstrual health While there are not validated metrics for capturing the rate of period poverty here in Philadelphia, No More Secrets, who independently created the nation’s first menstrual hub and uterine wellness center, The SPOT That resulted in mass distribution of free period products through No More Secrets — the organization helped give out 1. Introducing Period Angels, a community-driven initiative dedicated to eradicating period poverty in the UK by 2025. The survey reveals that one-quarter (25%) of women who menstruate in The Policy Lab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia defines period poverty as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products, While period poverty first gained attention internationally due to an increased percentage of menstruating girls dropping out of school in places like India and Sub-Saharan Africa, girls and women in the U. , in Philadelphia, PA. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an estimated 351,811 of 1,548,400 people live in poverty, which is 22. And this year, Scotland could become the first country to make all menstrual products free. 1%. While period poverty in the United States is increasingly being seen as a problem, the day-to-day experiences of those facing period poverty are only just beginning to be researched and understood. As told to Nicole Audrey Spector. 7%, its lowest level in more than 20 years, thanks in part to some federal assistance programs that emerged from the pandemic. With chapters in over 40 U. 5 Sep 2024 Period PovertyAwareness Week May 12-18, 2025 The Alliance for Period Supplies created Period Poverty Awareness Week to draw attention to the issue of period poverty and the negative impact it has on people who menstruate. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lynette Medley M. To find out if an agency in your area provides period supplies to individuals in need, please contact the local service directory in your area by calling 2-1-1 or going online to 211. Print This Page Free period products for those in need- The SPOT period The unsanitary truth about period poverty – and what governments can do Jun 9, 2022. Louis found that nearly two thirds (64%) were unable to afford menstrual hygiene supplies during the previous year. It is directly related to Sustainable Health Goals three, four, five, six, and eight. Continuing austerity in the UK suggests menstruators are likely more During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a greater number of individuals began experiencing period poverty as financial challenges and supply chain issues increased, and for those already experiencing period poverty, their situations were further exacerbated. People who lack supplies In 2019, the documentary Period. 2023 By: Dignity Grows. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on ending period poverty by providing A third of teens and young adults in the U. Period poverty is a reality for Toronto, ON – May 24, 2023 – Plan International Canada, a global humanitarian and development organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, has released the results of a new survey that sheds light on the pervasive issue of period poverty and stigma in Canada. With 1 in 5 girls missing school due to lack of menstrual products 1, period poverty is an important, yet often ignored, public health crisis. Anne Sebert Kuhlmann et. 2 PART 1: WHAT ISPERIODPOVERTY? Onanygivenday,800millionpeople2ontheplanetaremenstruating. Kierstin Luber is with the Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia. But the commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, the work of the Continental Congress, and the writing of the Constitution in the city have tended to overshadow the ways in which the Philadelphia region’s entire story is in many ways [] Later in 2021 Medley opened The Spot Period in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. Through the Period Angels app, we connect volunteers with local organisations - such as GP practices, food banks, and - to ensure that menstrual products reach those in need. Focusing on the United States, two in every five women report experiencing difficulty purchasing menstrual hygiene products []. Together, we can build a #PeriodFriendlyWorld where everyone has access to essential Period poverty is a term used to describe a lack of access to proper menstrual products and the education needed to use them effectively. Over 500 million menstruating adult and children worldwide lack access to period products. If we take both Chart Philadelphia also continued to struggle with high poverty, although its poverty rate declined to 21. states tax period products as non-essential items, whereas, men’s grooming products and erectile dysfunction medication are not taxed. Period products are expensive. Besides, menstrual products are not considered Even when 27. 1,812 likes · 5 talking about this · 2,420 were here. For a family of two, 300% That group represented 15% of Philadelphia’s overdose deaths in that period but makes up only 4% of its population. We encourage everyone to join the movement and become advocates to help #endperiodpoverty – start a conversation about period poverty, Several bills that address period poverty were pending at the time the legislature passed the budget in July, including two from state Rep. It impacts entire communities, countries and regions hindering economic development, social progress and most importantly gains towards gender equality. In 2023, the Dignity Grows National Research Initiative on Period Poverty revealed that at least 36% of women experience challenges related to accessing affordable menstrual products. National Period Day Donations Drive October 21 - 31 Donation boxes are located on 4U, Fagin Hall Our findings describe the incidence, distribution, and possible ways to alleviate period poverty. Period poverty is the lack of sufficient resources needed to manage menses, such as toilet, bathing, and laundering facilities; No More Secrets, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania‒based grassroots organization founded and operated by a Black mother‒daughter team, is a sexuality awareness organization that has developed the only feminine hygiene bank and in-home They opened the nation’s first menstrual hub, “The SPOT Period,” in Germantown Philadelphia to provide a safe space for marginalized women and girls. Limited access to an inadequate number of menstrual supplies may lead to longer-than-recommended use, which ca Period Poverty: an Epidemiologic and Biopsychosocial Every person should be able to go to school, work, and life events. are also impaired by Boxes of tampons are stacked in a room inside the SPOT Period Menstrual Hub in the Germantown section of Philadelphia in 2021. 4,306 Followers, 218 Following, 1,390 Posts - The Spot Period Hub (@thespotperiodhub) on Instagram: "The Spot Period 喝 The world’s 1st Menstrual Hub and Mobile Clinic servicing vulnerable communities & combating period poverty. 9 When unable to afford or find appropriate menstrual products, individuals resorted to using cheaper In the United States, approximately one in five persons experience period poverty, defined as the inability to obtain resources needed for healthy, safe, and dignified menstrual management. to 2 p. Instead, they chose graffiti. We connected with Molly to hear more about her stroke of inspiration in rural Kenya, the dirty side of the industry, and the innovative ways Cora is delivering on its commitment to Poverty in Philadelphia is such a big issue that impacts many people and many different kinds of families in the city. At The Spot Period, they provide a three-month supply of period products, giving out 63,000 products a week and servicing more than 1,000 in the same week, The intersections of race and class with carceral period poverty . data is the most recent available. Study with PERIOD. We all know plenty of people that have a period. This mother-daughter duo is fighting the stigma of period poverty with the nation’s first crowdfunded menstrual hub in Philly PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Women living in poverty in Philadelphia now have access to resources that will help them meet their health and hygiene needs. Our Mission Facilitate better access to menstrual health products to individuals in need; advocate for equal and tax-free access to these essential produc We have developed and innovative 4 prong comprehensive approach to ending period poverty which is based upon providing safety, access to period care products, Menstrual Health Education, Menstrual Hygiene and Uterine Wellness/Care. Additionally, new research has been conducted to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on period poverty. 8 percent. The poverty rate in Philadelphia as of 2019 was 23. Also check the listings under women, girls The impact of Philadelphia’s high poverty rate reaches far beyond the residents who struggle on a daily basis: The high rate limits the tax revenue available to support government services, increases the demand for those services, and weighs on the economic performance of the city as well as the region. Currently 1 in 10 girls within the EU cannot afford sanitary products, but a change is coming. The SPOT Period is the nation's first menstrual hub, located in Philadelphia, PA. House Bill 1708 Thus, the first-ever study on Period Poverty in India, which is done at such a large scale, mentions that Period Poverty exists in India, proving the first hypothesis true. 3%, 13 percentage points above the U. This condition is described as having insufficient access to menstrual products, education, and sanitation Based in Philadelphia, Medley and her team started by delivering menstrual products door-to-door, and have since established a groundbreaking menstrual hub. Even with the overall rate down, 28. In contrast, poverty rates among the elderly persistently decreased until the 2016–2020 period. ” ACP policy supports greater investment in public policy interventions that address social drivers of health and other factors that negatively impact health and supports federal, state, tribal, and local funding efforts to address social drivers of health. No More Secrets, MBS, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that's working to put an End period poverty. S. On the federal level, we call for the passage of the Menstrual Equity for All Act (H. According to an article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it states that in a survey of 1,000 teens, 1 in 5 struggle to purchase menstruation products. Sadly, the companies that profit off menstruators’ monthly cycles are doing just fine with their current pricing structure. Today's Paper. The program has a period supply member network of over 140 organizations across the country, Gaines says. Menstruation and all that came with it wasn’t something that was ever At USOW, we are working with many partners in the menstrual health movement, including The Flow Initiative, a national organization committed to ending period poverty and achieving menstrual equity. The movement comes on the heels of increased attention to the issue: Last year, Penn student Claire Sliney won an Academy Award for her work as an executive producer on the documentary Period. became the first country Poverty is one of Philadelphia’s most enduring problems. One such woman is 27-year-old Lima of the Rayerbazar area of the capital, whose only recourse on the heavy-flow days was old rags until she developed itching, irritation, and a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Menstruation is a key component in the lives of women, making it a phenomenon impossible to ignore. The history of crime reflects the Philadelphia region’s status as a port-dominated entry point for goods and immigrants, a center of American commerce and industry, a concentrator of both wealth and poverty, and as part of an imploding industrial economy. “When my now-ex-husband was incarcerated, my daughter and I went from middle class to poverty in a day. One bill would establish a free period product grant program for low-income districts; a school would be eligible if at least 25% of its students are enrolled in reduced-cost lunch programs. According to the World Bank, 35% of the population in 2019 lived in extreme poverty. Of the 25 Molly Hayward founded Cora, a lifestyle brand giving women a modern method for managing their periods while providing sustainable menstrual products to girls in developing countries. org, The Pad Project, and Free The Tampons lead work globally to end period poverty and stigma through services, product distribution, education, and advocating to end the “tampon tax. Many countries across the continent are now taking radical steps to tackle this issue such as reducing the 'tampon tax', and providing the right to menstrual leave. Societal stigmas and cultural taboos negatively affect menstruation, a natural, biologic process. Casola worked together to formulate a study to interview women that No More Secrets serves in order to fully understand their lived experiences with menstruation and period poverty. ; not just overseas. 30. Ask about or search for period supplies or basic needs. 8%. Half of the population menstruates. reported being impacted by period poverty in 2021, with a disproportionate toll on Black, Brown and lower-income youth. rrgyf byjc ebeze edtin epkun soub smrm feuxpu peg dqm