Menstrual Poverty Among Youth

Abstract

The presentation is based on a research study conducted in fulfillment of therequirements for a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. The academic supervisor is NinoShatberashvili, Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Menstrual poverty is not a standalone issue; it is a complex, large-scale challenge.Today, approximately 500 million people with menstruation worldwide lack access tomenstrual products and sanitary facilities (Cardoso, 2021). Cultural stereotypes, socialtaboos, inaccessible education, and poverty permeating society contribute to thecreation of menstrual poverty and complicate menstrual hygiene management forwomen. In Georgia, menstrual poverty is an under-researched problem. This qualitative study aims to explore the experiences and challenges of menstrualpoverty among young people living in Georgia and examine the role of social workersin addressing menstrual poverty. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted using aclassic in-depth interview guide. The interview participants were young people aged18-29, from both the capital city and various regions of Georgia. Menstrual poverty among young people in Georgia was identified in all three formsdescribed in the classic definition. The high cost of hygiene products significantlylimits young people’s ability to purchase the desired products. For many respondents,due to economic problems, purchasing hygiene products was inaccessible. Youngpeople are often forced to use alternative methods, such as cloth or handkerchiefs. Formal education on menstruation exists in state-approved biology textbooks, but inpractice, these issues are rarely discussed in schools in the regions. Informationreceived from family members, primarily from mothers and grandmothers, isminimal and leaves many open questions. Male family members do not participate inthe process of informing young people. A problem of access to water and sanitation facilities was also identified among theyouth. The lack of water and hygiene products makes it impossible to maintainmenstrual hygiene at school.Factors contributing to the spread of menstrual poverty in Georgia include thestereotypes and myths surrounding menstruation, which are often based on religiousand cultural beliefs. Menstrual pain and its impact on daily life are not seriouslyconsidered in society. Government involvement in addressing menstrual poverty is almost nonexistent.Based on the principles of social work, social workers have the potential to play acrucial role in the fight against menstrual poverty. The formal inclusion of socialworkers in schools presents a unique opportunity for them to empower both youngpeople and increase parents’ awareness, help eliminate stigmas and myths, andadvocate for addressing menstrual hygiene issues in schools, although there are noexamples of this practice in Georgia. Additionally, social workers can raise awarenessabout the importance of menstrual hygiene management among policymakers.Through this work, social workers will contribute not only to solving a specificproblem but also to achieving the following United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentGoals: Goal 1 - Ending all forms of poverty, Goal 3 - Good health and well-being, Goal 5- Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, Goal 6 - Ensuringavailability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, Goal 8 -Promoting decent work for all.