Dealing with period poverty

Period poverty is the lack of access to: safe and hygienic menstrual products during monthly periods, menstrual hygiene education, and basic sanitation services and facilities. Photo: Freepik

Having her first period was a traumatic experience for 12-year-old Aini Abdullah. Although her mother had discussed menstruation with her so that she knew what to expect and do, it didn’t lessen the stigma and bullying that she went through.

Her school uniform was soiled and she was teased and made fun of by some boys in her school who said hurtful things to her including: “you’re unclean”, “so disgusting”, and “ugh, you have to wear ‘nappies’ now”.