Turning the tide: How menstrual cups are fighting period poverty

Unlike pads, which can sometimes cause irritation due to prolonged dampness, menstrual cups prevent excessive moisture build-up, reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. [iStockphoto] Every month, millions of women and girls around the world face the reality of menstruation. For some, it's just another part of life. For others, it's a time of stress, discomfort, and financial strain. When it comes to managing their periods, women have a range of products to choose from-sanitary pads, tampons, reusable cloth pads, and menstrual cups. But for many, access to these products is not guaranteed. Period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and proper sanitation, remains a widespread issue, particularly in low-income and rural areas. For 22-year-old Esther Mwende from Nairobi, periods used to be a nightmare. "My problem with sanitary pads was absorbency. I experience very heavy flows, which sometimes required me to change my pad frequently, and that was not economical," she says. "Sometimes, I would even forget and soil my clothes. It was frustrating." Esther also struggled with discomfort. "I have a love-hate relationship with winged pads. They never seemed to stick properly. And when I heard my friends complain about other brands, I felt stuck with no better option." Financially, it wasn't easy either. "Pads are expensive, especially when you have to change them frequently. Even the thick, super-absorbent ones aren't always enough for heavy flows." Then, last year, Esther was introduced to menstrual cups. "I received my first menstrual cup as a donation about six months ago. That changed everything. No more spending money on pads every month," she says. "If I had to buy one myself, it would still be much cheaper in the long run." Esther describes the switch to menstrual cups as liberating. "I felt trapped by the recurring expense of pads, especially when prices spiked. With the cup, I don't worry about leaks or stained clothes, even when I'm sleeping." Her home in rural Makueni County made disposable pads even more problematic. "We have issues with waste disposal. Sometimes, even the latrines fill up because of discarded pads. It is a constant problem." With a cup, that burden will be gone. Despite the benefits, switching was not easy. "Not all clinics teach cup insertion, so I had to learn through YouTube tutorials and from trainers who distribute them. Also, some of my friends in rural areas still lack access to clean water, which makes cleaning the cup a challenge." Yet, Esther is determined to push for change. "Schools and clinics should teach cup insertion openly-no more whispers or shame. People should share their experiences on TikTok, in churches, and in women's groups. Silence only fuels stigma." She also believes in advocating for tax-free menstrual cups and better water access in schools. "Cups aren't just products; they're tools of rebellion against period poverty. Every girl deserves this autonomy." Mary Ojwang, a founder and team leader Women Students' Mentorship Association (WOSWA), explains the broader fight against period poverty. "As we mark International Women's Day, we must accelerate action. Period poverty is one of the barriers holding girls back. Statistics show that girls miss up to four out of five school days in a month due to period-related issues, whether it's lack of access to products, painful cramps, or fear of embarrassment." The problem is more severe in low-income and rural areas. "We're working to ensure that girls have access to menstrual products while also breaking stereotypes, stigma, and misinformation," Mary says. "Through partnerships, like the one we have with Could You? Cup, we distribute menstrual cups to girls in schools and educate them about menstrual hygiene." While disposable sanitary pads are the most widely used menstrual product globally, they come with a significant environmental cost. Mary highlights the environmental impact. "Every year, disposable menstrual products contribute up to 150 million tons of waste. A single menstrual cup, made of medical-grade silicone, lasts up to 10 years. By switching to cups, we reduce landfill waste and help mitigate climate change." Most commercial pads contain plastic, which contributes to pollution and takes hundreds of years to decompose. According to Ojwang' menstrual product waste accounts for an estimated 150 million tons of waste annually, filling up landfills and contributing to land degradation. Sanitary towels also release greenhouse gases as they break down in landfills. The energy-intensive production of these products increases their carbon footprint, further exacerbating climate change. Research indicates that a single woman using disposable pads generates approximately 125-150 kilograms of menstrual waste in her lifetime. With millions of women using pads worldwide, the cumulative environmental impact is staggering. In the United Kingdom, menstrual products generate approximately 200,000 tons of plastic waste each year. In the Netherlands, a woman uses between 11,000 and 16,000 menstrual products over her lifetime, producing around 150 kg of waste from tampons and pads. The environmental impact of disposable menstrual products is significant. Pads can contain up to 90 per cent plastic, contributing substantially to landfill waste. The production and disposal of these products contribute an estimated 245,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Beyond environmental concerns, the cups provide economic relief. "A pack of pads costs around 240 shillings, and most women need at least two per month. That's nearly 5,000 shillings a year and up to 50,000 shillings over ten years. A menstrual cup, which costs about 1,500-2,500 shillings, eliminates that recurring expense," Mary says. Despite the benefits, menstrual cups face resistance. "Some people wrongly believe that using a cup affects virginity," Mary says. "That's just a myth. We need to dismantle stereotypes and change perspectives." To combat this, organisations conduct comprehensive education sessions before distributing cups. "We go on by sensitisation," Mary explains. "Before we give the menstrual cup, we educate them, allow them to ask questions, and then when we answer the questions, by the end of the session, the girls who want to take a menstrual cup will raise their hands." Several health studies have confirmed that menstrual cups are safe for long-term use. They do not interfere with the vaginal flora or increase the risk of infections when used hygienically. Unlike pads, which can sometimes cause irritation due to prolonged dampness, menstrual cups prevent excessive moisture build-up, reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Many concerns center around hygiene and ease of use. Ojwang addresses these by demonstrating the simple cleaning process: "First, you have to disinfect it by boiling it in hot water for five minutes. Once you remove the cup, you wash your hands, of course. You don't want to pass germs from surfaces to the cup. For insertion, she recommends folding the cup in a C-shape: "Once you fold it like this, you squirt a little, then insert it into the vagina. Then it opens and creates a seal to prevent leakage." Unlike some commercial sanitary pads, which have been found to contain synthetic materials linked to chronic conditions, medical-grade silicone menstrual cups pose no health risks. Phyllis Mukasa founder of Hands Of Grace Community Group in her office in Kibera explains the works that go behind making the menstrual cup bags by marginalised girls of Kibera. March 8 2025 [Maryann Muganda, Standard] Recent investigations have raised concerns about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in menstrual pads. These "forever chemicals" do not naturally break down and can accumulate in the human body, leading to health issues such as cancer, kidney disease, and infertility. Mary and other advocates push for government support in making sustainable menstrual products more accessible. "The government spends millions every month on disposable pads, which end up in landfills. We should transition to sustainable products. The main obstacle is cultural backlash, but that's why education is key." Her organisation works alongside others like Could You and Hands of Grace to change narratives. "We need support from policymakers, philanthropists, and stakeholders to help communities accept menstrual cups as a viable solution." Period poverty isn't just about missing school-it's also about vulnerability. "We've heard countless stories of girls engaging in transactional sex just to afford pads," Mary explains. "A cup eliminates this desperation." Phyllis Mukasa, founder of Hands of Grace Community Group, echoes this concern. "We serve girls in Kibera, where period poverty is a huge issue. Through partnerships, we've distributed over 3,000 menstrual cups. Many of the girls we work with have had to skip school because they couldn't afford pads." Phyllis and her team also collect data from beneficiaries to understand the challenges they face. One of the most disturbing aspects of period poverty is its link to sexual exploitation. "We ask them: Have you ever missed school because of your period? How much do you spend on menstrual products? Has lack of access ever forced you into transactional sex?" The answers are alarming. "In Kibera, three out of ten girls admit to engaging in transactional sex just to afford pads. That's heartbreaking." Her organisation also works to involve men in the conversation. "We invite boys to our sessions. We teach them that menstruation is normal and that they should support, not shame, their female classmates. We also encourage men to buy cups for their wives, daughters, and sisters." "We cannot have this problem combated if we don't have conversations, including the male and the female all together," Mukasa adds. Mukasa adds that their initiative extends beyond providing menstrual products. "We also have the economic empowerment program where the girls make these small pouches for the cups, depending on the number of cups we have. If we have 500 cups that we're going to distribute in a region, we will request a group of marginalised girls which consists of teen moms, single moms, girls who have dropped out of school to make these bags," she explains. The program provides income opportunities directly linked to the menstrual cup distribution. "The more bags you make, the more you earn. It is 0.87 dollars per bag. each bag goes for one dollar," Mukasa notes. This approach creates a virtuous cycle, addressing period poverty while simultaneously providing economic opportunities for vulnerable women in the community.

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