By Shelly-Ann Weeks
Award-Winning Reproductive Health Educator & Advocate
For far too many Jamaican girls, a natural biological process—menstruation—becomes a barrier to education, health, and dignity. Period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual products, proper sanitation, and education, forces young women to miss school, endure shame, and resort to unsafe alternatives like rags or toilet paper. This is not just a health issue—it is a matter of educational equity, economic justice, and human rights.
The Stark Reality of Period Poverty in Jamaica
Research paints a troubling picture:
- 1 in 4 girls in low-income communities miss school during their periods due to lack of access to sanitary products (UNICEF Jamaica, 2021).
- Only 30% of public schools provide free menstrual products, while many lack clean, private restrooms with disposal bins (Ministry of Health & Wellness, 2022).
- The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ, 2023) links period-related absenteeism to lower academic performance, widening the gender gap in education.
When girls skip school every month, they fall behind in classes, lose confidence, and are at higher risk of dropping out entirely. This perpetuates cycles of poverty, as education is one of the most powerful tools for economic mobility.
Why Ending Period Poverty is Non-Negotiable
1. Educational Equity: Menstruation Should Not Hinder Success
No girl should have to choose between her education and her health. When schools fail to provide menstrual products or safe sanitation, they send a message that girls’ needs are secondary. Ensuring access to pads, tampons, and proper facilities is a basic requirement for gender-inclusive education.
2. Health & Dignity: No More Stigma or Unhygienic Practices
Without access to proper menstrual products, girls resort to unsafe alternatives—old cloth, newspapers, or even prolonged use of the same pad—increasing risks of infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and toxic shock syndrome. Additionally, the shame and stigma surrounding periods contribute to anxiety and low self-esteem.
3. Economic Impact: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
When girls stay in school, they are more likely to secure higher-paying jobs, support their families, and contribute to Jamaica’s economy. The World Bank (2022) estimates that every additional year of schooling for girls increases their future earnings by up to 20%. Ending period poverty isn’t just a health issue—it’s an investment in Jamaica’s future.
HerFlow Foundation: Leading the Charge Against Period Poverty
Since its inception in 2016, the HerFlow Foundation has been at the forefront of the fight for menstrual equity in Jamaica. Founded by Shelly-Ann Weeks, the organization has:
- Distributed over 10,000,000 free menstrual products to schools, home, shelters, and communities.
- Advocated for policy changes, including the addition of sanitary products to PATH benefits (being considered by Parliament).
- Launched educational programs to break the silence around menstruation, reaching thousands of students with over 300 workshops on reproductive health.
- Partnered with popular Jamaicans, corporations and government agencies to conduct public awareness campaigns to address the stigma and shame associated with menstruation.
One of their landmark initiatives, “Period is Natural School Tour,” ensures that girls in underserved schools receive free menstrual products and the requisite reproductive health education through workshops. HerFlow’s work proves that solutions exist—what’s needed is nationwide commitment.
The Way Forward: Solutions to End Period Poverty
To eradicate period poverty in Jamaican schools, we must:
- Mandate Free Menstrual Products in All Public Schools – Government and private sector partnerships should ensure consistent supply.
- Improve School Sanitation Facilities – Clean, private bathrooms with disposal bins are a basic right.
- Integrate Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education – The Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum must include evidence-based, destigmatized menstrual education.
- Expand Public Awareness Campaigns – Normalize conversations about periods to eliminate shame.
- Support NGOs Like HerFlow – Scaling up initiatives that have already proven effective.
Conclusion: Periods Should Not Cost Girls Their Future
Menstruation is natural, but period poverty is a systemic failure. Jamaica has the power to change this—through policy, education, and collective action. Let’s ensure that no girl misses school because of her period. Let’s guarantee health, dignity, and opportunity for all. She should not have to choose between her period and her education.
The time to act is now.
Shelly-Ann Weeks is a Jamaican reproductive health educator, award-winning activist, and founder of the HerFlow Foundation. Follow her work at @HerFlowFoundation as well as herflowfoundation.com and join the movement to #EndPeriodPoverty.
