Period poverty reduction

Abstract

Adolescent girls’ lives, especially those in rural educational settings, are greatly affected by period poverty also known as menstruation poverty, a pervasive and urgent problem. Menstruation is a natural occurrence, but it has recently attracted attention due to its detrimental effects on girls' educational opportunities. The primary problem centers on the issue of limited access to menstrual hygiene products and appropriate information regarding menstrual health. This has made menstruation not just a normal biological occurrence for many adolescent girls; but also, a daily struggle that is accompanied by discomfort, embarrassment, and missed opportunities. Period poverty in rural schools, where resources are frequently limited, exacerbates these issues, impeding girls' access to education, wellbeing, and overall empowerment. Qualitative research, using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation approaches was conducted to looks at the impact of period poverty on adolescent girls in rural schools in Lesotho's Mokhotlong District. The study investigated the effectiveness of World Vision Lesotho's 'Dignity Campaign' in combating period poverty. The study found that WVL through the Dignity Campaign initiative provides menstrual products (disposable pads, reusable pads, and washing soap) and education on menstrual hygiene, including important information and instructions on how to properly use and maintain the reusable pads. The study discovered that the combination of giving menstruation products, guidance, and knowledge dissemination by WVL empowers girls to make informed choices, actively participate in healthy menstrual hygiene practices, and break free from the constraints of period poverty. While the campaign does a good job of meeting practical requirements and empowering girls, issues with upkeep of reusable pads and access to washing soap highlighted the need for holistic solutions, including thorough menstrual health education that considers a variety of preferences and cultural sensitivity. The study concludes that, the 'Dignity Campaign's' distribution of sanitary products and education dramatically reduces period poverty among schoolgirls, boosting their capacities and encouraging active participation in both schooling and society. To effectively tackle period poverty, the study emphasizes the importance for comprehensive menstrual health education, practical product distribution, and cultural sensitivity