Period Poverty Among Refugee Women

According to the UNHCR there are at least 82.4 million people in the world who are displaced. Of these 20.7 million are refugees and 4.1 million are asylum-seekers. Women make up half of these people. In their struggle to leave their homes for safety, sanitary products are often an after-thought. However, these specific need not be overlooked in emergencies by aid organisations as women do not stop menstruating in a crisis and their needs must be met. Although according to research there is an improvement in the matter, there is still more that can be done, especially with the fact that most decision-makers are men.

 

A study by Global One found that in camps in Syria and Lebanon, almost 60 percent of women didn’t even have access to underwear, with more yet lacking access to period products. This leads to these women resorting to use alternatives such as old rags or tissue to manage their period. However, the issue is not limited to the lack of access to sanitary products. In such camps there may not be adequate water supply, toilets, and sanitation facilities. This increases the risk for infections and other health problems. For example, in the study already mentioned, more than half of the 800 women suffered urinary tract infections, usually untreated. The lack of access to clean water also makes it impractical to use reusable products as they will not have proper means to keep the products clean and hygienic. 

 

With unsatisfactory means to manage their period, refugee women are often under the risk of leakages when they go out to access the support they need. They may end up limited in their access to the necessities they require such as food, water, and essential services due to fear of staining their clothes in public and the stigma associated with menstruation. This means for refugee girls and women; their period becomes burdensome and complicates further their already difficult situation.

 

Solutions to alleviate period poverty for refugee women include but are not limited to; giving them access to underwear and sanitary products, providing them with private and clean toilets and wash facilities, discreet and effective disposal of sanitary waste, and education on how to effectively manage their period (especially for school-going refugee girls). There is also the need to listen to the concerns of girls and women in camps as opposed to providing help by the book. Many organisations are working towards providing some of these solutions and others are researching ways to fill the gaps. Some ways you can help as an individual is by donating to support these organisations in their work or giving your time to volunteer with organisations that help refugees in your local community.