At work at English 

 

Mia Cenin

A speech by Mia Cenin - Year 8 English 2021

Steve Milligan

Teacher - English

Mia achieved a perfect score for this task by fulfilling each criterion in the matrix of skills. She attained the ‘mastering’ skill level for persuasive writing.  Mia’s speech tackled a taboo topic with logical arguments and a variety of compelling evidence and rhetorical devices. Brilliant rhetoric Mia!

The Importance of Accessible Menstrual Care

Mia Cenin

Year 8

$9379.73. 

What could you buy with almost $10,000? A car, a nice trip overseas, Diamonds.  Well, this absurdly high number is the average amount of money someone who menstruates will spend over the course of their reproductive timeline (which on average lasts 40 years) on menstrual products, that’s a lot of money, right? And this amount of money only includes the cost of pads and tampons not things like medication or other essentials. The cost of a box of disposable menstrual products like pads and tampons can range anywhere from $2- $15, and reusable products such as menstrual cups, discs, and underwear, though overtime more cost-effective and ecofriendly, can be expensive, costing even upwards of $40.

‘Period poverty’. This is defined as ‘a lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, bathroom facilities or waste management.

Australia is a first world country, but poverty is not hard to come by. More than one in five people have faced period poverty in Australia, more than one in five have had to use socks, toilet paper, even newspaper as a substitute for suitable period care. According to UNICEF, 2.3 billion people worldwide lack basic sanitation services, and only 27% of individuals in developing countries have appropriate handwashing facilities at home. The inability to utilise these facilities makes it increasingly challenging for people to manage their periods safely and dignifiedly. In India, just 12% of menstruators have access to sanitary goods, forcing the remainder to rely on hazardous alternatives. Period poverty disproportionately affects marginalised communities like people of colour or disabled people. For example, the lack of menstrual care in remote Australia has a major effect on indigenous Australians.

Poverty is an ocean without a bottom. A lack of accessible menstrual care can affect almost every aspect of your life, your ability to go to school, work, your dignity, health and more of can be negatively impacted. It can impact your physical health by causing things like infections, many other illnesses related to growth of bacteria and even toxic shock syndrome which in many cases is life threatening. Many people also struggle severely without the use of things like pain killers or birth control. Period poverty can affect your mental health by causing shame and isolation, A study conducted by BMC women’s health showed, 48.4% of people from their sample who experience period poverty reported severe depression. UNICEF also reported young people who menstruate that do not obtain sufficient menstrual education are more likely to enter child marriages, endure domestic violence and suffer from malnourishment and complications during pregnancy.

 Another reason period poverty is so detrimental is the lack of schooling. Without access to proper period care, many people are left to miss days of school and beneficial opportunities. ABC’s poll of 659 menstruating adolescents aged 10-18, reported one in five feel too ashamed to attend school whilst menstruating. Menstrual product firm Kimberly Clark also conducted research that uncovered 40% of students do not presently receive information on menstruation from their school, and 49% do not currently get information regarding menstrual products.

‘People have been menstruating since the dawn of time, you don’t need luxury items.’ This is a view held so dearly that period products are still taxed around the world. Pads and tampons are a luxury? We should just lower our standards and bleed into our clothes? Wow, of course, how didn’t I think of that sooner? We should just silently slip back into medieval times, great idea! Menstrual care is seen as unessential, yet the sight or mention of period blood is seen as taboo and disgusting. Menstrual care is health care and cannot be taken lightly if someone’s health could be seriously impaired.

If you are wondering how to help, there a multitude of ways including: actively standing against misogyny revolving around periods and normalizing the discussion of menstruation. The misogynistic stigma around menstruation is negatively impacting people who menstruate more than just on the surface, the ignorance of primarily young cisgender men isn’t just irritating, its damaging. By viewing periods as an unimportant and gross thing, you are feeding the problem, you are contributing to the lack of access to essential education and items for so many. 

Supporting organizations or charities is also helpful. There are many period positive organisations like Share the Dignity or international organizations like Action Aid and Bloody Good Period that help fund period care for those in need.