By Navya Gupta, 13, Hiranandani Foundation School International

For some it’s just pain

Others a month of shame

In the end they all suffer

A week or more of torture

Reusing unclean underpants

Forced to finish all their tasks

Begging for measly coins

Even as their health destroys

A bloody pad

An aching back

Are regular demons

Especially if you haven’t eaten

Let us strive and protest

Let her thrive and rest

She’s only human after all

And periods can take their toll

Let’s not hush them down

Or look down on  them with a frown

No girl should face the fight on her own

It’s time to claim the right to own

By Navya Gupta, 13, Hiranandani Foundation School International

In shadows deep, a quiet fight,  

A burden hidden, out of sight.  

For some, the month is simply pain,  

But for others, shame and silent strain.  

No coins to spare for things so small,  

Yet vital needs—a monthly call.  

A pad, a tampon, just out of reach,  

Leaving dignity, hard to teach.  

The aisles stocked high with what they lack,  

A dollar short, they turn back.  

They improvise with cloth or more,  

And dream of what they can’t afford.  

It’s just a cycle, we’ve been told,  

Yet lives grow weary, thin, and cold.  

For health and hope, they’ve fought and bled—  

How heavy is the price of red?

So let’s not turn a blind eye here,  

But break the silence loud and clear.  

No girl should face this fight alone,  

It’s time to claim the right to own.

A Women's Dignity - By Tamanna Tripathi, 13, Dhirubhai Ambani International School

I'm a student. I'm an athlete. I'm an artist. I'm a leader. I’m a friend.

But I'm also a woman. And that means that every month, I have to deal with something that other people don't have the courage to support me through: my period.

It's not a choice. It's not something I can control. It's just a natural part of being a woman.

But it shouldn't stop me from being able to do anything I want. I shouldn't have to miss school or sports or important events because I don't have access to the things I need. Each woman is equally deserving of hygiene products. Each woman should not have to choose between integral parts of her daily life and hygiene products for a natural process.

That's why I'm standing up with "Pads Not Privilege." It's not just about me. It's about every girl who has ever had to miss out on something because she couldn't afford a pad or tampon. We deserve to be able to take care of ourselves and our bodies. We deserve to be able to participate fully in our education and our communities.

I’m here to help make sure that every girl has the right to manage her period with dignity.

The Call to Wake Up and Act.

By Myrah Gupta, 13, Dhirubhai Ambani International School

It is described as a lack of money to buy sanitary products and manage menstrual hygiene effectively. Millions around the world, women, girls, and menstruators in both low and high-income countries, are suffering from this. Period poverty has more health, education, gender equality, and basic human rights consequences than the economic burden it brings. It requires urgent attention, comprehensive policies, and a societal shift toward inclusivity and awareness.

Understanding Period Poverty

This condition of period poverty occurs when the majority of people do not have sanitary products, access to a proper toilet or sanitation facilities, and information regarding their menstrual health. Many regions charge sanitary products as a luxury item, where most of the population have to choose between purchasing food or other basic needs versus sanitary products. As a result, some are compelled to use rags, newspaper, or plastic bags, leading to infections and other complications associated with health.

This crisis took more serious dimensions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as economic hardship and supply chain disruption magnified the struggle for access to menstrual products. In this way, it presented the necessity of considering menstrual products as necessities rather than comfort and enhanced governmental and institutional support.

Impact on Education

One of the most important issues that period poverty faces is upon education. Young menstruators, especially in a low-income setting, always miss school due to scarce sanitary products or adequate sanitation facilities. According to estimates from UNESCO, one menstruating adolescent in ten goes out of school during her time, which results in important educational losses. Some even pull out of school altogether as they continue to get impoverished and reduce future prospects.

For even those going to school, a dearth of proper sanitary materials would lead to embarrassment and social isolation, resulting in humiliation and bullying and affect the self-esteem of a student and their socialization skills. Poor management of menstrual periods in schools could easily make the girl feel distraght and fail to focus fully in class leading to poor academic performance further exacerbating gender inequality.

Health Impact of Period Poverty

Period poverty has a huge health implication. One would end up using other unsafe alternatives if they were unable to access the correct menstrual products, which exposed them to infections such as urinary tract infections and infections in the reproductive tract. Also, it becomes hard to keep hygiene since there is no clean water and a proper private space.

Most often, there is misinformation and stigma over menstruation that stops them from seeking health services about health issues related to their menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods or reproductive health problems. The neglect would, consequently, jeopardize one's physical health while it exacerbated feelings of shame and inadequacy that may even affect mental health.

Period Poverty and Gender Equality

Menstrual hygiene is often closely associated with gender equality because, when people miss the opportunity to go to school or to work or participate socially because of menstruation, they are denied full-fledged participation in society. Cultural taboos lend a stigma to menstruation, and discriminatory practices are found that bar menstruators from participating in social activities, religious activities, and communal activities. These attitudes then perpetuate gender inequity and keep menstruators marginalized.

The only way forward to achieve gender equality is by breaking the stigma associated with menstruation. It requires open discussions, policies that are all-inclusive, and educational programs that will remove shame from the menstrual process. Normalizing periods as a natural biological process will reduce stigma and open opportunities for greater participation in society and personal well-being.

Solutions and Initiatives for Period Poverty

Period poverty needs a multi-dimensional approach to tackle the problem.

1. Tax Reform and Policy Change: There are several governments that have abolished the tax on sanitary products, commonly referred to as the "tampon tax." The aim of abolishing the tax on menstrual products is to ensure easy access to these products for all citizens. Free provision or subsidizing of menstrual products by the government can help improve access. Scotland is one country that has taken a lead by providing free menstrual products to all its citizens, thus inspiring other countries.

2. Sanitary products made available free of cost at schools, workplace, shelters, public venues: Free provision of sanitary pads in schools, working institutions, shelters, public stations would lead to less absenteeism from schools and greater access amongst students. Some educational institutes and colleges are using toilets to break the stigma about the product and are allowing for maximum participation in education.

3. Education and Awareness: Integrate menstrual health education in school curricula and community programs. Such education helps break down myths and removes taboos. The education equips menstruators with knowledge to better manage their health, hence a more supportive and informed society.

4.Engagement of NGOs and Community Groups: Most non-governmental organizations are already on the frontlines combating period poverty through the provision of products, raising awareness, and establishing structures for enhanced menstrual hygiene management among the most vulnerable members of society. Grass root approaches will be necessary for reaching these populations and initiating the sustainability of the changes put in place.

5. Innovation in Menstrual Products: Sustainable and affordable alternatives like reusable pads and menstrual cups will provide long-term solutions for period poverty. These products might be cost-effective in the long run and reduce the environmental impact associated with disposable menstrual products.

Conclusion

Period poverty is a critical issue that affects health, education, and equality, making it a matter of human rights. It will make society more inclusive where menstruators do not become the victim of biological processes. Stigma has to give way to support and understanding. It is in this context that we will need international cooperation, reform of legislation, and raising public awareness for eliminating period poverty. Collective action is the only way through which the world can become a place where essential products for all are menstrual ones, stigma from menstruation is removed, and everyone gets a fair chance to succeed.

A Bane For Us All

By Divna Manek, 14, Dhirubhai Ambani International School

Period poverty is an issue that is looked down upon, or considered taboo and irrelevant, but this problem is significant and needs to be addressed. Many women all over India don’t have the finance to afford sanitary pads. These areas have a prominent lack of awareness when it comes to menstrual hygiene, where 50% of the females have poor menstrual hygiene practices. 332 million females in India do not even have access to these products, using rags, leaves, sand, and various other harmful substances as an alternative. Menstrual hygiene is not a choice, it is a right and a necessity, and should be treated as such. It’s not only the choice of using these pads, but the wastage, 113,000 tonnes of these pads end up in India’s landfills. As an alternative to both the wastage and the issue of finance, we introduce the reusable pad, which eradicates waste and is cost effective.