Period Poverty And The Way RED Is Making A Difference
Start writing a post
Student Life

Period Poverty And The Way RED Is Making A Difference

The Beginner's Guide to not having access to necessary medical supplies as well as what you can do about it.

153
Period Poverty And The Way RED Is Making A Difference

Did you know that 1 in 5 women in North America alone regularly miss school or work because of their period?

Period poverty essentially refers to when people don't have access to necessary period supplies, typically due to lack of income or lack of substantial income. Access also prevents many people from getting the supplies they need, as they may be too far away or not "suitable" for the person. This causes them to use make-shift provisions such as towels, socks, or tissue. For young people everywhere, access to menstrual products is a huge roadblock. Think about having to miss work once a week every single month. It would be impossible to get anything done or to be a consistently contributing member of the workplace.


As much of a luxury as it appears to be to constantly bleed for 4-6 days every month for your entire life, along with headaches, abdominal pain, and bloating--having a period is not as fun as politicians want to make it look. Even tampon commercials make it seems like menstruation is all about spinning in a field of daisies wearing all-white.

There isn't anything dirty about periods. It's a very natural and hygienic process. But when you don't have access to proper supplies, it can certainly get messy fast. It may not be dirty, but it's hardly a luxurious experience.

Whatever your values are, period poverty should be something you are working to alleviate. It is a workplace issue, it is a medical issue, it is an education issue. Unfortunately, it is also a political issue.

Lobbying for a decrease in taxes on period products across the board taught me that many legislators in Jefferson City care very little about people missing work or school due to lack of access to medical products.

Thankfully, local groups are taking a stand with the creation of RED--which stands for Raising Everyday Discussions. For the month of April, Generation Action from Missouri State University and Kat Sue Jaymes from Glendale High School are teaming up to alleviate period poverty in Greene County.

The three groups are now accepting donations throughout the month of April to give to Rare Breeds and Harmony House. If you would like to donate, contact Angela Presnell at ap173@live.missouristate.edu

Thank you for your time and for your donations.

https://www.facebook.com/MSUGenerationAction/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/25/lets-make-period-poverty-history-girls-miss-school-sanitary-products

https://always.com/en-us/about-us/end-period-poverty

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57999
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37363
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959027
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192493
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments