Period Poverty Awareness Week May 12–18
Help Spread the Word and Spark the Change
Join us in shining a light on the hidden crisis of period poverty—a serious yet often overlooked issue affecting countless individuals who menstruate. Period Poverty Awareness Week, observed nationally from May 12–18, brings attention to the inability to afford essential period products. While less visible than hunger or childcare, period poverty impacts an estimated 25,000 girls and women in Southwest Florida—some as young as 8 or 9 years old.
The consequences are far-reaching: missed school, lost workdays, lower academic achievement, reduced wages, and increased mental health struggles—often for a week each month. These challenges only deepen the cycle of poverty.
Learn more about period poverty so you can Speak Out, Take Action, and Help Create Change.
These Period Poverty Facts are Surprising.
Maybe Even Shocking.
1 in 4 women and girls struggled to purchase period products due to lack of income.
Period Poverty has increased 35% since 2018.
38% of people who menstruate have missed events or activities in the past year due to lack of period supplies.
2 in 5 girls have missed school because they cannot afford period products. They can miss up to 20% of their education if they miss school every month.
State and Federal programs (SNAP/Food Stamps) cannot be used to purchase period supplies. They are considered a luxury item.
Rags, socks, and newspaper are poor substitutes which do not provide adequate period protection or reliability.
Those who struggle to purchase period supplies felt strong negative emotions.
Embarrassment 47%
Ashamed 35%
Depressed 32%