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Half of the global population experiences a period and most of them identify as women and girls. Period poverty is a complex and multi-faceted issue, impacting women and girls in ways they might not realise. It is a lack of access to physical and immaterial resources including water, education, products, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (bathrooms).

Period poverty can result in school absenteeism and reduced economic opportunities. The presence of social stigma and shame around periods create a social environment where women are unable to communicate openly about their period in a social or even research context. Shame is often not included when period poverty is discussed, however, period poverty encompasses both physical and environmental factors and societal perspectives on menstruation.

The lack of understanding, support and openness around periods creates barriers for women to live an equitable life. If we’re to achieve gender equality, this needs to be urgently addressed. Here at the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡, we’re working to raise awareness of international issues relating to period poverty. Our research project with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Fourah Bay College explores the work being done in Sierra Leone to remove stigma and shame surrounding menstruation. Ahead of International Women's Day, we want to celebrate the work being done in Sierra Leone to make this significant difference to the lives of so many.

Our period poverty research project, funded by the BRIDGE fund, is transnational and multi-disciplinary. It is a collaboration between the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡, the College of Media at UIUC, and the Departments of Social Science and Journalism at Fourah Bay College (FBC), Sierra Leone. The first part of the project has seen UIUC and FBC students and professors working together to create a documentary around period poverty in Sierra Leone.

The context in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a country situated on the coast in western Africa. It has a complex history with it being a significant departure area for slaves in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In recent history Sierra Leone has suffered many negative events - civil war, Ebola pandemic, a mountain slide in the capital city, Freetown, and the Covid19 pandemic. However, the people of Sierra Leone are resilient and innovative and continue to create strong community approaches to social issues. The Sierra Leonean government has shown commitment to gender equality and women's rights with the passage of the (GEWEA). Alongside that there are many other economic, social, and protection initiatives to help women in Sierra Leone. Overall, people are committed to finding ways to better their community and create meaningful ways to give back.

The work being done in Sierra Leone

Women across Sierra Leone are working to change the culture of stigma and shame surrounding menstruation. Women of all ages and backgrounds are working to provide local solutions for their community in order to achieve this goal. The documentary we’ve created references the work being done by , a local NGO addressing menstrual inequities. They provide menstrual hygiene kits to school age children, as well as education to all pupils about sexual health and the menstrual cycle. Uman Tok is unique in the way that they provide education about the menstrual cycle to both boys and girls, with male educators from Uman Tok educating the boys. The schools that participate in this education are helping connect their students to these resources and provide a safe space for girls to experience their period and understand what is happening with their body.

What’s next for the research project?

In addition to the documentary, the group is creating resources using virtual reality media, audio, and drawings - all aimed at raising awareness of the vital work that is being carried out. The group is also building a campaign with advertising students at UIUC to generate more clients for Uman Tok.

In March 2025, both of us from the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ are returning to Sierra Leone to conduct empirical research. We will be speaking with emerging and established sexual health professionals in Sierra Leone to explore why, in an environment where social stigma and jobs are difficult, these professionals choose to work in a field that supports sexual health and sexual health education. We will be exploring perspectives of shame, as well as how they use youth voice in the work that they do. Through this project, we aim to showcase and support the phenomenal work being done in Sierra Leone and discover how we can extend these learnings globally to reframe the culture of menstruation and sexual health.

Stephanie Wayda and Dr Sophie King-Hill - University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡