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Period Poverty
Introduction
Muslim Sisters of Eire (MSOE) is an independent organization of Muslim women living in Ireland. We are a voluntary organization dedicated to supporting migrant women, encouraging integration, and creating opportunities for collaboration to benefit a diverse community and society. Our large team of volunteers working on the ground with the homeless and migrant community is more well known. Consequently, MSOE has unearthed the risk to females due to period poverty in Dublin, and further research was done into period poverty globally. Our leading solution is to provide safe period kits to women and girls who need them and fact-checked, evidence-based health information in different languages to decrease stigma and improve health literacy.
Aims and objectives for MSOE:
1. To purchase period and female hygiene materials
2. To create period poverty kits -
- Consisting of sanitary pads, hygiene wipes, information
3. To develop menstrual hygiene information period products and associated hygiene, menstrual health literacy for girls and women.
- Information framework: Basics on menstruation, menstrual hygiene, products available, addressing common myths (i.e., pregnancy, symptoms)
4. Menstrual health literacy will be translated Into the United Nations six languages: English, French, Russian, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish.
5. Over 50 % of refugee children do not possess electronic devices, digital Poverty is highlighted during the Covid 19 pandemic.
6. To deliver Global Health through the community, "Global Health begins within the community."
4. Menstrual health literacy will be translated Into the United Nations six languages: English, French, Russian, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish.
5. Over 50 % of refugee children do not possess electronic devices, digital Poverty is highlighted during the Covid 19 pandemic.
6. To deliver Global Health through the community, "Global Health begins within the community."
Expected outcomes:
1. To donate period poverty packs and education booklets to migrant females.
2. Administer menstrual hygiene products.
3. Provide health information.
4. Work towards eliminating period poverty and lessening gaps in health.
2. Administer menstrual hygiene products.
3. Provide health information.
4. Work towards eliminating period poverty and lessening gaps in health.
Period Poverty and menstrual hygiene in refugee and migrant community: "Global Health begins within the community."
Globally, many women and girls cannot attend work or school during their period for fear and shame associated with menstruating, and many also lack access to sanitary and menstruation products due to financial limitations. In a study (2019) conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 55% of women had access to period sanitary products, and only 37% had underwear. This leads to more significant inequality and health issues as women and girls are unable to attend school and work, and period poverty increases reproductive and urinary tract infections for women and girls.
In 2018, a study conducted by Plan International explored period poverty within Ireland. This study highlighted that 50 % of girls aged from 12-19 years experienced period poverty in Ireland. This study highlighted 10% had unsuitable menstrual hygiene products. Ireland Period Poverty conducted a survey (2021) of the accessibility of menstrual hygiene products for women and girls in Direct Provision, which concluded that some women and girls still have difficulties accessing menstrual hygiene products.
By the end of 2019, 79.5 million people had been forcibly displaced. These numbers; include 50 % of children, many separated from their families, and 27,600 are unaccompanied (WHO 2020 & UNHCR 2020). In Europe, 700,000 asylum-seekers applied for International protection in 2019." Today, we see the largest population movements and displacement since the end of the second world war," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO 2019). Those who are displaced are recognised by the World Health Organisation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as those who have their healthcare displaced, and are consequently at risk of delayed diagnoses and health literacy access. They are among migrant and refugee populations globally and experience disproportionately limited access to social welfare; consequently they have poorer health and socioeconomic outcomes (UN IOM 2021).
In Ireland, period poverty is a recognised issue. A motion was passed in the Dáil and Seanad, to address and develop a task force to eliminate period poverty in Ireland. In February 2021, the Irish government published a paper on period poverty, a sub-committee for a National strategy for women and girls. The report published the following recommendations on the core elements:
1. Strengthening the evidence base.
2. Addressing the stigma associated with periods.
3. Considering ways of helping those clearly in need.
4. Regarding the provision of products on gender equity grounds.
5. Cross-disciplinary management of implementation, funding, and evaluation.
In 2018, a study conducted by Plan International explored period poverty within Ireland. This study highlighted that 50 % of girls aged from 12-19 years experienced period poverty in Ireland. This study highlighted 10% had unsuitable menstrual hygiene products. Ireland Period Poverty conducted a survey (2021) of the accessibility of menstrual hygiene products for women and girls in Direct Provision, which concluded that some women and girls still have difficulties accessing menstrual hygiene products.
By the end of 2019, 79.5 million people had been forcibly displaced. These numbers; include 50 % of children, many separated from their families, and 27,600 are unaccompanied (WHO 2020 & UNHCR 2020). In Europe, 700,000 asylum-seekers applied for International protection in 2019." Today, we see the largest population movements and displacement since the end of the second world war," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO 2019). Those who are displaced are recognised by the World Health Organisation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as those who have their healthcare displaced, and are consequently at risk of delayed diagnoses and health literacy access. They are among migrant and refugee populations globally and experience disproportionately limited access to social welfare; consequently they have poorer health and socioeconomic outcomes (UN IOM 2021).
In Ireland, period poverty is a recognised issue. A motion was passed in the Dáil and Seanad, to address and develop a task force to eliminate period poverty in Ireland. In February 2021, the Irish government published a paper on period poverty, a sub-committee for a National strategy for women and girls. The report published the following recommendations on the core elements:
1. Strengthening the evidence base.
2. Addressing the stigma associated with periods.
3. Considering ways of helping those clearly in need.
4. Regarding the provision of products on gender equity grounds.
5. Cross-disciplinary management of implementation, funding, and evaluation.