Glossary
Period Poverty
Lack of or uncertain access to menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints
Menstruation / Menstrual Period
The monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus, when pregnancy does not occur
Menstrual Hygiene
Maintaining health and cleanliness of the body during a menstrual period. Appropriate products used (including sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups)
Menstrual Equity
Fair and complete access to menstrual hygiene products for all individuals who need them
Hygiene Desert
Lack of affordable hygiene products among a community’s retailers, the unintentional result of product drives and the reason premier charitable organizations operate through monetary donations rather than product donations
Data-Driven Systemic Change
Efforts to reverse the growing prevalence of Period Poverty, informed by current and unbiased research
Social Policy
Principles that guide a society in managing social welfare, equality, and justice, shaped by cultural values, political ideologies, and economic conditions
Period Poverty Blog
From Menarche to Menopause
The First Period: Setting the Tone Menstruation begins a long relationship with health, dignity, and self-image. For girls experiencing their first periods, a lack of products can create fear, shame, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Instead of celebrating a natural...
The Menstrual Equity Act is a great start, but more work needs to be done
Hope in a Bag - Dignity Grows Totes provides a month's supply of hygiene products and period necessities, distributed through partner social service agencies that identify the needs of their unique populationsSOURCE: CT Mirror - By Rebecca Carroll, Flagship...
What Period Poverty Nonprofits Are Doing to Change The Future for Girls
Period Poverty is a pressing public health crisis characterized by limited access to menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints. Shockingly, over one-third of menstruating Americans struggle to afford these necessities, leading to chronic school...
Everything That Goes Into Creating a Dignity Grows Hygiene Tote
Along with large-scale national research, data-driven social policy change advocacy, and groundbreaking national assemblies, is what started it all at Dignity Grows: tote distribution. Dignity Grows Totes are filled with a 1-month supply of hygiene products and...
What’s It Like to Be an Unhoused Menstruator?
Being an unhoused menstruator presents a unique set of challenges that often go unnoticed in discussions surrounding homelessness. This article aims to shed light on the complexities of Period Poverty and its intersection with homelessness, questioning the efficacy...
The Positive Power of Corporate Philanthropy
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a key factor in a company's success, and corporate philanthropy is a powerful avenue for making a positive impact on society. As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of giving back, the search for...