Nearly two mi people received free menstrual pad this year in Brazil

Nearly 2 million individuals have received free menstrual pads through the Menstrual Dignity Program, launched this year, as per data disclosed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. They are available for collection at Farmácia Popular units, a government’s program that provides free medication for the treatment of certain diseases. The Menstrual Dignity program is anticipated to assist approximately 24 million individuals, aged between 10 and 49, who lack access to this product during their menstrual cycles.

"Up to May 24, the Program has assisted 1,737,061 individuals, who have collected their pads from establishments accredited to the Farmácia Popular Program," the ministry informed Agência Brasil via its press office.

This Tuesday (May 28) marks the International Day of Menstrual Dignity.

The ministry highlights that this date is recognized in over 50 countries and serves as a platform to address menstrual poverty, a pressing issue that significantly impacts individuals who menstruate.

The Ministry of Health refrained from commenting on a study by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding safe menstruation in Brazil. The study emphasizes that "The right to menstruate in a dignified, secure manner, with access to hygiene products is still a challenge for adolescents and young individuals, encompassing girls, women, trans men and boys, and non-binary individuals who menstruate.”

Difficulties

Gynecologist Daniela Angerame Yela, a member of the Endocrine Gynecology Commission of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (Febrasgo), agrees with Unicef.

According to the doctor, although there are public policies in place aiming to change this situation in Brazil, significant challenges persist, particularly among the poorest population. She highlighted findings from theses conducted by students at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), which revealed the lack of access to dignified menstruation among riverside communities in the Amazon and border regions accommodating numerous immigrants. "These individuals face tremendous hardships," she noted. Even in major cities like São Paulo, many women encounter difficulties in registering for government programs to obtain sanitary pads. "While there are numerous public initiatives, not everyone can avail themselves of all the benefits," she explained.

The gynecologist advocates for awareness campaigns to be conducted in schools, targeting girls and teenagers. "I believe that's where we can reach the widest audience, while also fostering dissemination, as they can then share the information with their mothers and the broader community." Regarding public programs, Daniela Angerame Yela supports their expansion, arguing that it would not entail significant costs for governments. Unicamp organized a campaign to collect pads, which were subsequently donated to individuals in need in Campinas and Valinhos.

Permanent action

The non-governmental organization Central Única das Favelas (CUFA) is spearheading a continuous campaign to combat menstrual poverty, collecting pads to distribute among girls and women facing social vulnerability. In an interview with Agência Brasil, Kalyne Lima, president of CUFA Brasil, underscored the organization's experience in addressing this issue through their work over the past few years.

Lima also emphasized the significance of the federal government's Menstrual Dignity Program. "We frequently encounter such profound levels of vulnerability that, despite the existence of policies like this one, which aims to facilitate access to sanitary pads, many women are either unaware of it or face challenges navigating the bureaucratic registration process to benefit from such initiatives. We are operating within a complex social context with multiple layers," she remarked.

For her, this policy is both crucial and necessary. "We acknowledge that it significantly contributes to women's rights, but at the same time, we observe a disconnect between certain policies and their intended recipients," explains Lima. According to her, this gap exists because many women facing extreme vulnerability lack awareness and access to more comprehensive and educational campaigns that elucidate their entitlements. She noted that, in a sense, many menstruating individuals, both women and men, are still on the fringes of this policy.

CUFA's campaign to collect and distribute sanitary pads operates in a decentralized manner, gaining momentum during key events like Women's Month, Women's Day, or targeted initiatives. "However, the campaign is ongoing because we recognize the essential nature of this support. In tandem with these efforts, we strive to disseminate information about the federal government's developing policies, ensuring that women have access to them in every possible manner," emphasized Kalyne Lima.

Schools

José Maria Soares, president of Febrasgo's Endocrine Gynecology Commission and supervisor of the Endocrine Gynecology and Climacteric Sector at the Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo (USP), highlighted the prevalence of menstrual poverty among teenagers and low-income women. Soares explained to Agência Brasil that due to financial constraints, these individuals often cannot afford commercial pads during their menstrual cycles and resort to using cloths for hygiene. "This situation frequently leads to missed school days," he lamented.

Given that not all adolescents and women have access to the government program, he proposed an alternative solution: deploying health agents or social workers to schools to register students. "This approach could significantly enhance the program's effectiveness. Currently, the government implements such programs, yet some individuals benefit while others do not. By incorporating menstrual education into school curricula and facilitating registration, we not only provide knowledge but also inform students about available government assistance," he explained. He further emphasized the pivotal role of teenagers as multipliers in this process. By informing their family members, friends, and neighbors about the program, they create a ripple effect, enabling more individuals in similar situations to access sanitary pads.