How You Can Help Reduce Period Poverty in Thailand
Read on to the end to learn about how you can help reduce period poverty.
What is Period Poverty?
Period poverty is the inability to access menstrual products. This may be due to cost or living in remote regions without a way to purchase products for one’s period. Regardless of the reason, it puts people who have periods in uncomfortable and distressing situations: not being able to use pads, tampons, period underwear, cups - or one’s preferred product - at times of bleeding can lead to issues with hygiene, impacts to health, and mental well being.
Can you think back to a time when you got your period unexpectedly, and did not have an immediate way to manage it?
Were your pants stained? Did you feel embarrassed that people would see? Was there anyone around who could lend you a pad or tampon? Or could you go to a nearby store to purchase one? Did you have enough money to do so? To buy more than one, to manage your period for the rest of the day, or week?
Can you imagine being in this situation every time you get your period? Once is stressful enough.
And if you were easily able to solve the situation – by purchasing a tampon or pad – you’re in a lucky position that the majority of women in Thailand are not in.
What is the Situation in Thailand?
It’s difficult to present an exact number, but in 2022 it was estimated that “only 35.28% of Thai women can access sanitary pads” (Bangkok Post) during a “Free Pads For All” exhibition, put forward by the Pheu Thai political party.
Almost 65% of Thai women are living in period poverty.
These women are likely working lower-wage jobs, living further away from metropolitan areas which have stores that sell multiple brands of menstrual products, looking after families (including young girls who will get their periods, too), needing to spend their income on food, rent, transportation, childcare, school supplies, clothing, and other necessities.
Although Vira considers period products to be a necessity, societal stigma and taboo that has created shame around the topic of periods, means that periods are not considered a public health priority, so neither are the products to manage them.
If women are wearing their tampons or pads for too long in an effort to “save” their supply to last longer throughout a bleeding cycle, there are detrimental health benefits. Wearing pads for too long creates an environment of bacteria, which can cause infections around the vulva and in the vagina. Wearing tampons for too long can even cause toxic-shock syndrome, which is fatal.
It’s upsetting to think about the implications and consequences of not being able to afford or access proper and safe period care when one starts their period, let alone having it for 30-45 years of one’s life.
What Can We Do?
Vira has always believed in the power of education to support girls and women who get periods. We host PERIOD POWER workshops around Thailand, which teach about periods, the hormones involved, and how we feel about our cycles.
Within this initiative, Vira has launched a new PERIOD POWER project to empower 1,000 Girls on the Thai-Myanmar Border.
We give girls the education and guidance we wish we had growing up about their periods. One of Vira’s team members is Thae Ei who grew up as an undocumented migrant from Myanmar, and her story — saving up pocket money just to buy pads, having no access to period education — reminded us at Vira exactly why we do this work.
We’ve partnered with PlayOnside - an NGO working along the Thai-Myanmar border - where girls are still dropping out of sports and school because of period stigma.
With PERIOD POWER, Vira will deliver workshops, reusable product kits, and confidence-building tools that help girls take back control of their health and futures.
We are in the process of raising 420,000 THB (12,606 USD) to reach 1,000 migrant girls with the tools, knowledge, and community support they deserve.
Your support can help shift this culture of silence — and make sure no girl is held back by her period.
Help us reduce period poverty in Thailand-Myanmar!
Learn more by contacting thae-ei@vira.care
OR
You can donate via Bank Transfer through the details below:
With Love,
Vira
