PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO HELP US UNITE ON THE ISSUE OF PERIOD POVERTY IN LEBANON AND RAISE AWARENESS FOR THIS OVERLOOKED PROBLEM.

We read on Megaphone News the following: Seven men were in the meeting in the Grand Serail to approve the basket of subsidized goods: Prime Minister Hassan Diab; Ministers Raoul Nehme, Abbas Mortada, and Imad Hoballah; Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh; and Advisor to the Prime Minister Khodr Taleb and George Chalhoub. These men chose over 300 basic items to subsidize, some of which are unnecessary and not in the interest of citizens, but are profitable to traders. What is worse is that these men did not forget to include men’s razors in the list of commodities, during a time when many women do not have access to sanitary pads. However, this does not appear to concern them.

The current crisis in Lebanon is bad enough but to have 7 male leaders decide that sanitary products are not worth subsidising while male shavers are is sickening. We need to change the narrative- Period Poverty is a problem. Over 62% of the population cannot afford basic necessities to manage their periods, use newspapers, rags and unsanitary product to help manage. This leaves them suffering with extreme health issues and infections that lead to further complications. Not only does the mismanagement of periods lead to health concerns, it also affects well-being, education, work and day-to-day life. They lack the basic right to menstruate safely in dignity without stigma and financial burdens. It is often associated with cultural shame and a shortage of resources.

The risks are real: women are stopped from reaching their full potential by missing out on education and opportunities for growth; poor menstrual hygiene can lead to serious infections and reproductive issues. Young girls who miss out on an education are more likely to enter child marriages and experience an early and difficult pregnancy. Period shame also has negative impacts on mental wellbeing; it belittles and disempowers a natural process. Periods are not a luxury.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO HELP US UNITE ON THE ISSUE OF PERIOD POVERTY IN LEBANON AND RAISE AWARENESS FOR THIS OVERLOOKED PROBLEM.