In first world countries women are extremely privileged in that there period care needs are met simply by walking into the nearest convenience store. This is a convenience not offered to women who are homeless or those living in 3rd world poverty.
Currently the government supplies other healthcare needs to homeless shelter, yet no period care for women. Menstruation is still seen as taboo subject by many Australians and as a female issue it’s seen has a lower priority by the Australian Government. Access to period care is big issue for homeless women, when food and shelter is priory the luxury of tampon is not accessible.
So how do girls and women cope in 3rd world countries? They cope in inconceivable ways:
In African countries like Kenya & Ethiopia, period care products are far to expensive to purchase, girls cut up pieces of mattress or use twigs, corn husks, newspaper and leaves as pads, causing serious infections. In most of these developing countries teenagers will avoid attending school, or simply drop out once they get their periods. Even if these materials do not cause infections, most of them lead to leakage, staining clothing or furniture, so women avoid all public outings.
Pelvi believes that it is basic human right to have sanity care. We want to empower women and girls to stay involved in their lives and educations without the stigma and barriers surrounding their menstruation
Plevi recently ran trials with dairymaids using Menstrual Cups on an African farm, where the cups have been extremely well received, allowing women to go to work and have a safe, healthy period.
Menstrual Cups are a wonderful permanent solution for poverty-stricken & homeless women throughout the world.
