Period poverty is a global public health and human rights issue that affects millions of women and girls. It refers to the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and adequate sanitation facilities. This issue goes beyond physical discomfort—it touches every aspect of life, including education, economic opportunity, mental health, and dignity.
According to UNICEF (2019), nearly one in ten girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their menstrual periods, and many eventually drop out altogether. A UNESCO (2021) report echoes this concern, noting that stigma and inadequate menstrual support are significant contributors to gender inequality in education.
In many communities, menstruation remains a taboo subject. Cultural myths—such as the belief that menstruating girls are “unclean”—lead to isolation, shame, and misinformation. In Nepal, for instance, the now-illegal practice of Chhaupadi once forced girls to live in cow sheds during their periods, often exposing them to harm. While this practice has been criminalized, the mindset persists in various forms globally.
Economic challenges further compound the issue. A 2020 study by Plan International revealed that over 500 million women worldwide lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene resources. Many resort to using unsafe alternatives such as cloth or newspaper—items that pose serious health risks, including urinary and reproductive tract infections (Global Citizen, 2020).
In response, the Restore Her Dignity department under Royalty World, has been implementing impactful campaigns through its sensitization on menstrual health and hygiene, distribution of reusable pads, and My First Period booklet to help create awareness and promote a period-friendly world. On the 28th of May 2025, Royalty World will launch the Dignity Ambassador’s Network (DAN) during a Dignity Conference—a transformative, community-led initiative in Cameroon, founded on the belief that every individual, family, and institution can help bridge the menstrual health gap.
Through DAN, Royalty World aims to train and mobilize individuals from diverse sectors—educators, health workers, students, parents, and corporate leaders—to become champions of menstrual dignity within their communities. These ambassadors will be equipped with knowledge, resources, and tools to organize awareness campaigns, lead school sensitization programs, distribute free or subsidized menstrual hygiene kits, and facilitate menstrual education sessions that challenge myths and cultural taboos. They will also advocate for the inclusion of menstrual health in public and institutional policies.
In many schools where menstruation was once a taboo topic, the DAN network aims to ensure that teachers and male students actively participate in open discussions. These shifts in attitude reflect a powerful cultural transformation—one that paves the way for empathy, equity, and sustainable change.
As we reflect on the global and local realities of period poverty, one key question remains:
What more can we, as individuals and communities, do to build a world where every girl and woman can menstruate with dignity?
Recent Comments