This is a sponsored post for Always.
While lack of access to period products is typically associated with girls in other countries, period poverty is a real problem in our country too. The phrase “That Time of The Month” has always had a bad tone to it, but as you read this article I want you to think about that phrase as a young lady who cannot afford or have access to period products like pads.
What You Need To Know about Period Poverty
Period poverty is a real problem in the U.S. Nearly 1 in 5 girls have missed school because they can’t afford period protection. But it’s not just school they miss. It also means missing out on activities they love. And the side effects of missing out can be just as real. There are studies that show at puberty, girls’ confidence plummets and the drop in confidence is so much worse for girls that lack access to period protection. Period poverty isn’t just someone else’s problem. It’s happening right here in North America.
My Period Experience
I will never forget the day that I got my first period, it was my 13th birthday. Yes, literally as I am entering the world of being a teenage girl I got my period as well. Honestly, it rocked my world and every “time of the month” since that first time I have found myself struggling. My struggle was never not having period products, I always knew my parents would provide me with all of the necessary products I needed. However, I have always been one of those lucky ladies that deals with very heavy periods. Honestly, the more I read about period poverty in our country I cannot imagine being without products with a period like mine, especially as a child.
I have read stories about young ladies using socks, toilet paper, and napkins to create their own period products. That is so crazy to me. As a mom of a young daughter, I know that soon we will be having those period discussions and one of those discussions will be about the products that she will use during that week. Putting myself in the shoes of a mother who has to not only have the period discussion with her daughter but then teach her how to survive that week with no period products has my heart breaking. How is this okay? It isn’t some distant issue, it is a HERE and NOW issue that we all can help with.
How Always Is Making a Difference
Always and Walmart are committed to helping End Period Poverty by making sure the conversation about Period Poverty continues and also taking action to end this major problem. Always is committed to getting period products to girls in school across the country. In total, Always is committed to donating 15 million products in the U.S.
To help spread the importance of why this initiative is so crucial, Always and Walmart have created an Always Live #LikeAGirl video. If you are like me, once you watch this video you will end up in tears and ready to help make a change.
Here’s how you can help:
- Join the conversation, and raise awareness of the issue in North America. Make sure to use #EndPeriodPoverty.
- Share the Live #LikeAGirl video with your friends.
- Donate product to your local school or food bank. Period supplies are one of the most requested products at these locations but are often the least donated.
I urge you to join this conversation and keep it going. It is time to End Period Poverty now. I can often see my privilege but something like having access to period products should never be a privilege. As I think back to my childhood as a teenager going through school and activities during my period was hard enough but taking away my pads would have been devastating. It is not surprising to me that so many girls miss activities and school due to this. Even as an adult, I would not be able to go through normal life activities without my period products.
