Meghan Markle has written an impassioned essay for Time on the subject of period stigma in the third world.
The 35-year-old, who is currently in a relationship with Prince Harry, penned a piece entitled “How Periods Affect Potential,” tackling the issue of menstrual hygiene for girls in developing countries.
As Meghan writes, in nations such as Iran, India, to sub-Saharan Africa, girls often drop out of school around the age of 13. Why? Because of the shame associated with having their period, and the lack of access to the proper feminine hygiene and sanitation products they need.
Meghan Markle is an actress and humanitarian
As part of her work on this topic, Meghan says she travelled to India earlier in 2017 to learn about the true extent of the problem.
While there, Meghan heard stories from girls who are to embarrassed to go school during their period, as they are: “ill equipped with rags instead of pads, unable to participate in sports, and without bathrooms available to care for themselves.”
In addition, with little discussion around the topic at school or home, many girls are led to believe their bodies are “purging evil spirits.”
“All of these factors perpetuate the cycle of poverty and stunt a young girl’s dream for a more prolific future,” writes Meghan.
And the problem is happening the world over, she explains.
“Beyond India, in communities all over the globe, young girls’ potential is being squandered because we are too shy to talk about the most natural thing in the world.”
Meghan is an ambassador for the Myna Mahila Foundation who make sanitary products for women across India. Click through to their website to sponsor a girl so she can have the sanitary products she needs, or donate directly.
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