Menstrual health is more than a biological function it is a matter of dignity, equity, and human rights. Yet, for millions of women and girls around the world especially in marginalized communities’ access to safe, hygienic, and affordable menstrual health products remains a daily struggle. This gap not only impacts physical health but also perpetuates cycles of poverty, shame, and social exclusion.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) focuses on reducing inequalities within and among countries. One critical but often overlooked aspect of this goal is ensuring equitable access to menstrual health resources for vulnerable and underserved populations, including rural women, refugees, individuals with disabilities, and low-income communities.

The Reality on the Ground

According to UNICEF, more than 500 million people worldwide lack adequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities. In Pakistan, where menstruation is still heavily stigmatized, nearly 79% of girls and women do not use sanitary products due to cost, lack of awareness, or accessibility barriers. In rural and underserved areas, the situation is even more dire women resort to using unsafe alternatives like cloth rags, newspaper, or ashes, leading to health risks such as infections and reproductive complications.

Marginalized groups face compounded challenges: they are not only economically disadvantaged but also culturally excluded from conversations about menstrual health. Many adolescent girls drop out of school after their first period due to the absence of private toilets, lack of products, and fear of humiliation.

Menstrual Health as a Path to Equity

To reduce inequalities under SDG 10, menstrual health must be recognized as a public health and equity issue. Providing universal access to safe, affordable menstrual products, education, and facilities helps ensure that no woman or girl is left behind simply because of her biology.

Key strategies to address equity include:

Policy Integration: Governments must integrate menstrual health into public health, education, and social protection policies. This includes tax exemptions for menstrual products, inclusion of MHM in school curricula, and support for local manufacturing initiatives.

Community-Based Distribution: Grassroots organizations can play a vital role in distributing products, raising awareness, and combating stigma, especially in hard-to-reach regions.

Inclusive Design: Menstrual health interventions must be inclusive of individuals with disabilities, the transgender community, and those displaced by conflict or climate crises.

Local Manufacturing & Innovation: Supporting local, women-led enterprises that produce reusable or biodegradable pads can improve affordability, reduce dependency on imports, and create employment.

A Call for Dignity and Justice

Equity in menstrual health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for building a just and inclusive society. When women and girls are empowered with the resources and knowledge to manage their periods safely and confidently, they are more likely to stay in school, engage in the workforce, and participate fully in community life.

At Fempure, we are committed to breaking barriers by producing locally made, organic menstrual products and advocating for policy-level change. Together with our partners and community, we aim to restore menstrual dignity for every girl and woman no matter her background.

Let’s Make Menstrual Equity a Reality.

Reducing inequality starts with listening to the needs of the most marginalized. It starts with recognizing menstrual health as a right, not a privilege. Only then can we truly achieve the promise of SDG 10 a world where no one is left behind.