Period Poverty in Aotearoa - Beyond a the Consulting Room
As a gynaecologist, my work goes beyond medical consultations. It’s about understanding the factors that impact my patients’ overall health, and one of the most significant yet often unspoken issues I encounter is period poverty. In Aotearoa, a lack of access to affordable period products is not just a financial issue; it’s a public health crisis that affects education, dignity, and well-being.
The stories I hear from patients are heartbreaking. For many, a monthly period is a source of anxiety and difficult choices. I’ve had conversations with young women who have missed school or work because they couldn’t afford pads or tampons. This isn’t just about managing a period; it’s about being able to participate fully in life. The downstream effects are considerable, impacting educational outcomes and economic stability.
The Role of Education and Open Conversation
While providing products is crucial, we must also address the underlying stigma that has long surrounded menstruation. This silence contributes to a lack of understanding, leaving many to suffer in private. Comprehensive menstrual health education is a powerful tool. When we teach young people about their bodies, we empower them to seek help for issues like irregular cycles or severe pain that could be a sign of conditions like endometriosis. The more we normalise these conversations, the more we can tackle the taboo that prevents people from getting the help they need.
Innovating Solutions
Thankfully, there are many people and organisations in New Zealand working to address this issue. The government’s initiative to provide free period products in schools is a vital step, but community-led solutions are also essential. One innovative example I’ve seen is Ads on Pads. This social enterprise has found a creative way to fund free period products by placing advertisements on the packaging. It’s a clever model that uses a familiar commercial space to provide a necessary item at no cost to the user.
What makes this idea compelling is not just the free pads, but the way it challenges the status quo. By using ad space to promote health messages, such as breast cancer awareness, it transforms a moment of privacy into an opportunity for education. It’s a model that proves commerce can be a force for social good, contributing to the broader goal of making sure no one has to choose between food and period products.
Ultimately, tackling period poverty requires a multifaceted approach. It calls for government support, innovative community solutions, and a collective commitment to talking openly about menstruation. By doing this, we can ensure that every person in New Zealand has the dignity and access to health they deserve.