The unwanted legacy of period poverty
For far too many young South African women and schoolchildren, period poverty isn’t just a monthly inconvenience draped in stigma – as bad as that is. It is the catalyst for a potential life of under-achievement, lifelong poverty, and a revolving door of missed opportunities.
When girls are forced to stay home from school due to a lack of access to menstrual products, their education suffers. Over time, this translates into lower academic performance, reduced confidence, and fewer job prospects.
The impact ripples beyond the individual, affecting families and entire communities. Period poverty is not just a health or hygiene issue – it’s a systemic barrier that reinforces inequality and strips girls of the chance to reach their full potential.
Education
Not hitting your academic potential.
The inability to access sanitary products means missing several days of school each month.
Over time, these absences accumulate, leading to gaps in learning, falling behind in class, and lower exam performance. Even the brightest, most capable students struggle to fulfil their academic potential when their education is routinely disrupted by something entirely preventable.
Unequal opportunities
Boys do better — not because they’re smarter, but because they’re not held back by stigma.
While boys continue their education uninterrupted, girls often face silence, shame, and absenteeism. The result? A quiet but persistent inequality. Girls may be just as driven, intelligent, and ambitious — but they’re fighting a battle their male peers don’t even have to think about. Period poverty doesn’t just hold girls back academically; it limits their long-term chances in life.
Poor work performance
Not because of ability, but because monthly absences continue into adulthood.
The challenge doesn’t end with school. Many women continue to take time off work every month because they still can’t afford basic menstrual products. This isn’t about work ethic or capability — it’s about systemic neglect. Period poverty can undermine confidence, hinder career progression, and create the false impression of unreliability in the workplace.
Conflict between genders
Lack of understanding fuels stigma and silence.
Boys and men often don’t receive education about menstruation, leading to embarrassment, misunderstanding, and even mockery. This deepens the gender divide. Without open conversations and awareness, stigma thrives — making it harder for girls to speak up, ask for help, or even attend school or work with confidence during their period.
Embarrassment
Hygiene concerns, odour, and the fear of being ‘found out’.
The physical realities of menstruation — when not managed with proper products — can lead to visible leaks, odour, and discomfort. This can cause profound shame and anxiety, especially in communal settings like classrooms or workplaces. Many girls choose to stay home rather than risk public humiliation, reinforcing the cycle of silence and missed opportunity.
Don’t you think it’s time this all ended? South Africa has the potential to thrive — but only if every girl has the dignity, confidence, and opportunity she deserves.
Help make that possible.
