When Poverty Bleeds: A Global Journey Through Menstruation and Inequality

When Poverty Bleeds: A Global Journey Through Menstruation and Inequality examines how menstruation — a natural biological process experienced by half the world’s population — becomes a profound site of social inequality and exclusion. Grounded in empirical research and global evidence, this report explores the multifaceted realities of period poverty, defined not only by lack of access to menstrual products but also by inadequate sanitation, limited menstrual health education, entrenched stigma, and intersecting socioeconomic obstacles. The work highlights how structural barriers — including poverty, gendered social norms, and gaps in public health infrastructure — compound menstrual challenges, affecting education, employment, wellbeing, dignity, and participation in daily life.

The report expands traditional understandings of period poverty by introducing the concept of menstrual injustice — a broader framework that captures the lived experiences of individuals who navigate not only financial hardship but also inadequate facilities, cultural taboo, and systemic neglect. Through qualitative insights, policy review, and intersectional analysis, this study underscores the urgency of reframing menstrual health as a matter of human rights, social equity, and public policy.

Ultimately, When Poverty Bleeds calls for holistic, evidence-driven action across government, civil society, and communities to dismantle the barriers that make menstruation a source of inequality rather than empowerment. Addressing menstrual health comprehensively — from supplies and infrastructure to education and dignity — is essential to advancing equity and ensuring that no one is held back by their biology.