Period poverty refers to the lack of access to basic menstrual products, such as sanitary pads and tampons, as well as the lack of necessary information and awareness needed to address this issue. It is a form of economic and social inequality that prevents women and girls from managing their periods safely, with dignity, and with proper hygiene.
In Greece, as in many countries, period poverty affects a significant number of women and girls. Addressing it is not only a matter of providing products but also of promoting information, awareness, and the removal of stigma.
WHEN, in collaboration with It’s Just Period, Deon Policy Institute, and LIDL Hellas, is implementing the #StopPeriodPoverty program to combat period poverty in Greece. The initiative aims to ensure that every woman, girl, or person who menstruates has access to essential menstrual products, so that their daily hygiene, education, and social participation are not restricted.
Through this collaboration, we aim to provide solutions, information, and support to those who need it.
Within the framework of the program:
- A nationwide survey will be conducted in collaboration with MRB, aiming to update and deepen the available data on period poverty in Greece. The survey will also record the views of people who menstruate regarding the measures that should be taken to address the issue. These include the reduction of VAT on menstrual products in Greece from 24% to 13%, a change that we have been advocating for several months.
- A guide for parents, educators, and caregivers will be developed to help them talk more openly and inclusively with children of all ages about menstruation and the changes it brings to the body and daily life.
- Interactive workshops will be organized for parents, educators, and anyone interested in opening inclusive and meaningful conversations with children (and beyond) about menstruation.
- Free sanitary pads will be provided at the WHEN Hub for people who menstruate and need them.
Through this partnership, WHEN, It’s Just Period, Deon Policy Institute, and LIDL Hellas aim to help remove the economic and social barriers caused by period poverty. The goal is for every woman and girl in Greece to have access to essential menstrual products, to feel no shame about their bodies and their natural functions, and to live with dignity.
For more information, please contact:
📧 info@when.org.gr
