Period poverty refers to the inability of people to access menstrual hygiene products, facilities, and education due to their economic situation, social stigma, or lack of knowledge.
As a developing country, period poverty is visible throughout Bangladesh. People see
menstruation products as a privilege rather than a right. According to the National
Hygiene Survey 2018 conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 29% of
menstruating women in the country use sanitary pads. So, 71% women in Bangladesh are going through period poverty which may lead them to life-threatening diseases.
However, people do not talk about this issue due to social taboos. My project focused on the fact that menstrual hygiene products are essential for women, and they can be made affordable for everyone.

- Sanitary napkins can be made from knitwear, cloths, jute, and waste. They are
affordable and reusable. But, as many people aren’t aware of these items, we introduced them to school and college-going girls, and working women.
- Many vendors like Safepad Bangladesh have already started to produce and sell
reusable pads. However, due to lack of proper advertisements, they are being left in the shadows. The target of my project was to bring such vendors and their items in front of people for ending period poverty.
- As part of my project, I have visited 2 schools and 1 college in my area, and the
departments of my university to engage with female students who required menstruation pads. I held sessions and classes to discuss about the necessity of
menstruation items and introduced them to reusable pads.