Menstruation is a natural and essential process for half of the world's population. Despite this, many communities worldwide lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and facilities.
Menstruation is particularly difficult for homeless women. Along with the everyday struggle of finding food, shelter, and basic resources, during menstruation, they also face the challenge of getting sanitary pads and the privacy to change them. Without access to menstrual hygiene products, periods can be devastating time for women experiencing homelessness.
Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, sanitation facilities, education, or a combination of all these. An estimated 500 million people around the world suffer from period poverty.