Intersectional feminism and period poverty
Period supply programs need to take into account varied cultural beliefs around menstruation; how poverty differs between racial and ethnic groups; and how menstrual dysphoria may affect LGBTQ people.
When we talk about period stigma, we are very much talking about the perception of menstruation in the dominant White culture. But that’s not the only game in town. For example, the Kwek Society provides period supplies in indigenous communities. The group also educates about “Moon Time,” a traditional way of looking at menstruation positively, complete with community celebrations of first menses.
A growing body of research shows that women of color experience period poverty at higher rates. For example, a study by a George Mason University researcher showed that on a college campus, Black and Hispanic women were most likely to experience period poverty, with first generation and immigrant students also at higher risk. This folds in with a broader societal inequity in which Black and Hispanic women face overall poverty at elevated rates. Fighting period poverty should be an act of racial justice and as such needs to examine how location, language and other barriers can be overcome to get products to the people who need them.
Period poverty overwhelmingly affects women and needs to be seen in the context of other gendered forms of economic inequality. However, people experiencing gender dysphoria are very likely to also experience menstrual dysphoria. A recent study of transgender and non-binary teens identified at birth as female showed that 93% experienced distress around their periods and wanted their menses to stop. Programs that fight period poverty can help by making sure to use inclusive language. They can also partner with clinical and social service organizations to make sure that clients who do not identify as female get access to important health information. We highly recommend looking into the work of the Period Pantry Project, which surveyed LGBTQ clients to find better ways to serve them.
