And That’s On Periods.

Our friend Synclaire Warren shares her thoughts on menstrual equity and period poverty and the ways you can get involved, make a difference, and enact change!

Article Updated: August 9, 2024

Summer 2020 was a difficult time for many of us. From COVID to cancellations, it made finding opportunities and internships difficult. During this time, DoSomething met young people where they were and pivoted their summer internship program into a Summer Ambassador program, accommodating young change-makers passionate to make a difference. And that is where my story as a menstrual equity advocate starts. During my time at DoSomething, I participated in Power to the Period, an action that encouraged people to collect unopened packages of period products and donate them to local homeless shelters. We know that low-income people who menstruate often struggle to afford period products like pads and tampons, and these are the most needed items in homeless shelters. During that summer program, and in partnership with U by Kotex, DoSomething.org members collected thousands upon thousands of period products. (To date, DoSomething has donated over 1.8 million products to homeless shelters across the nation)!

The lack of accessible period products and comprehensive education is known as “Period Poverty”. Period Poverty is the result of unjust stigmas that serve to disempower people who menstruate and it’s evident that menstrual hygiene is uniquely ostracized in society. Toilet paper is an obtainable product in almost every bathroom while period products are rare finds. And if they can be found, they are often expensive and insufficient. Period products are actually deemed as luxury items rather than a necessity by the government - advocates call this the tampon tax. The monetization of menstruation is an example of patriarchal capitalism that desperately needs to be eradicated to achieve menstrual equity.

Menstrual shame is unfortunately an all-too-common feeling for many people who menstruate. My eighth-grade year was a compilation of cramps, chocolate bars, and crying. I understood the scientific functions and reasoning of having a period, but I felt trapped within myself. I lacked the proper resources to care for myself holistically during my period, so I often resorted to my own methods. I thought myself to be somewhat of a menstrual magician, hiding pads and tampons in my sleeves, only to reveal themselves in the privacy of the bathroom stall. My time with DoSomething taught me that advocating for the causes I care about is deeply important. Being a part of the Power to the Period program helped me understand the stigma surrounding menstruate and period poverty on a much deeper level. And challenged me to want to speak up and advocate for more accessible products for all.

On Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), it’s so important that we have open and candid conversations surrounding period poverty and menstrual equity. The goal of this day is to help end the stigma surrounding menstruation, raise awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, and advocate for funding required for large-scale action. The current narrative states that periods make people “crazy,” “aggressive,” “unstable,” and “dirty.” To counteract these narratives, we must share our own real stories about our bodies and most importantly about ourselves.

DoSomething.org is a leader in reclaiming the space for Period Poverty and Menstrual Equity by uplifting the voices of people fighting period poverty around the world. I encourage everyone to take a moment to learn about the ways YOU can get involved in providing free health products, advocating for mental health support, and demanding inclusive education.