World Health Investigation Podcast

Period Poverty and the Hidden Cost of Menstruation

WHI Season 4 Episode 9

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0:00 | 20:49

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This #MenstrualHygieneDay, we're asking a simple question: why does half the population have a monthly expense they never signed up for? We unpack period poverty, the hidden cost of menstruation, and why access to products is only part of the story. What was the first message you received about periods? Tell us in the comments below. 

Key sources:

  1. UK Gov, 2022, Penny Mordaunt launches new funds to tackle period poverty globally
  2. World Bank, 2023, Menstrual Health and Hygiene Brief
  3. ActionAid, 2023, Periods: All Your Questions Answered
  4. ActionAid, 2022, Period Poverty Statistics Around the World
  5. The Independent, 2026, 1 in 10 UK women face period poverty forcing some to take dangerous health risks, campaigners warn 
  6. UNICEF, 2023, Busted: Eight Myths About Periods
  7. Scottish Government, 2021, Period Products Act
  8. ActionAid, 2019, How do people around the world celebrate periods?
  9. Global Citizen, The Tampon Tax: Everything You Need to Know, 2021

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