The term "Period Poverty" is used to refer to an inaccessibility to both period products and the education on how to use them. This is usually because of an inability to afford these products.

Period poverty affects entire communities as it:

Takes away opportunities from individuals who have periods due to not having access to period products, and creates disadvantages in the community, leading to inequality. This seeps into almost every aspect of society. 

This video from NBC News explains the origins of what period poverty is and its vast effects on the community, and how a women created an organization to improve the conditions of period poverty in her own community. 

There are many ways you can help the fight for period poverty:

• Supporting the I AM bill:

  • • This would provide funding for period products in schools, prisons, and homeless shelters. 

• A way to promote this bill is by contacting your state representatives and urging them to support it. 

• Donating period products or making monetary donations to organizations working to end period poverty:

  • • Some organizations include:

      • • Dignity Matters

        • Alliance for Period Supplies

        • Local homeless shelters