Ria Mohan is a sophomore at Juanita High School. She reached out to T2P2 for an interview while conducting her research on “Improving the Menstrual Health of Women in Shelters.” After gathering data from 17 different shelters, she shared her research with us. Even though we’ve been donating period products to shelters for over four years because we know they severely lack access to menstrual products, the results were still shocking! This study confirms the critical work we do and must continue to do.

We want to share that research with you today on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021. Our shared goal of publishing this is to empower change. #ItsTimeforAction.

Data snapshot;

One shelter surveyed said they have enough menstrual products for ONE womxn a month!
Another shelter surveyed said they have enough products to help womxn ONE OR TWO TIMES A YEAR!
A shelter in Bellevue, WA said they can provide products as they are donated. Sometimes it’s a box or two and some months they can’t provide anything at all!

Womxn should not have to go without period products ever. At T2P2, we are committed to providing shelters with Period Packs. In order to grow into a consistant reliable resource for shelters in Washington, we need your help. Consider making a tax deductible donation here. Or host a Period Product Drive using our Toolkit.

Final Research Findings - Improving the Menstrual Health of Women in Shelters

By Ria Mohan | Juanita HOSA | Chapter #55118 | Juanita High School | Washington

image (2).png — Ria Mohan

Interview with T2P2

Q: What was your inspiration for choosing this research topic?

A: My inspiration for choosing this research topic sparked at a high school Model UN conference in which I was part of the UN Women committee. As part of this committee, students debated about how to combat menstrual poverty around the world. I represented Bangladesh and had written a paper outlining possible courses of action that could be taken. After the conference, I showed the paper to my mom and she was in tears. Appalled, I asked her why and she recalled the experience of using old, contaminated towels and rags back home in India during her menstrual cycles. It was then that I realized the sheer scope of this grave issue, and that it affected women and teens in all countries, regardless of background, ethnicity, race, or culture. It was a universal problem that needed fixing now.

I decided to start locally, having seen numerous homeless camps and tents set up all over Seattle, to make a difference in my immediate community. Seattle is known for its beautiful waters and greenery, never-ending skyscrapers, renowned coffee and revolutionizing tech industry. However, little to no attention has been drawn to the growing homeless population who struggle every day to make ends meet because of the lack of action being taken to assist shelters and those on the streets. Menstruation causes difficulties for all women and is not going to stop for someone who may not have a roof over their head. Overall, menstruation is a serious part of women’s health and must be prioritized to help women everywhere lead safer, healthier lives.

Q: What is your opinion on the lack of menstruation supplies in shelters and literally everywhere else?

A: It’s unacceptable that women must resort to using old, dirty rags, towels, clothes and other contaminated materials to manage their menstrual cycles when this is a normal, routine part of women’s health. Women should not have to choose between getting food on the table and having access to basic hygienic products. Moreover, the fact that these necessary products are unaffordable and ridiculously expensive is extremely concerning. Menstrual products should be treated like food or clothes, it shouldn’t be another item for women to budget their costs for.

Q: The Menstrual Hygiene Day theme this year is #TimeForAction. How can we take action to help solve this problem?

A: One thing that everyone can do to help solve this problem is talk about it. Harmful stigma surrounding menstruation has made it an overlooked issue for far too long. It’s not disgusting, it’s not a sign of weakness, it’s not something that needs covering up or secrecy. It happens to almost every woman on a monthly basis.

The other thing that people can do is donate. I found that many believe only pads or tampons are helpful, so they don’t seek to donate anything else. However, women on menstrual cycles are always in need of clothes especially undergarments, soap, heating pads, medication, leak protection, and much, much more.

Q: Is there anything else you can tell us about the research and what you discovered?

A: It was such a privilege to gather data from amazing employees at these 17 different shelters across Washington and I really appreciate their time. A few employees were from larger shelters, which receive copious amounts of donations and are adequately supplied to help women on periods. A staff member from a smaller shelter pointed this out and said it would be more helpful if there was a “network where it [donations] was shared across the board.” Obviously, every shelter is in need and I know these larger shelters are very appreciative for the donations they get. However, my research demonstrated a clear difference between the needs of bigger and smaller shelters, so it may help to focus more donations towards smaller, lesser-known shelters.

We applaud you, Ria! Thank you for clearly showing the world the extreme need for access to menstrual supplies in shelters. #ItsTimeForAction #MHDay2021 #HelpingPeoplePeriod