In the heart of Lebanon's economic crisis, a silent struggle is unfolding. Sherine, like many women across the country, can no longer afford sanitary pads. As prices soar, she resorts to makeshift solutions, using baby nappies or scraps of cloth to manage her period each month. The toll is not just financial but emotional, with Sherine expressing her frustration, "I'd rather stop having my period altogether."
The staggering 500 percent increase in pad prices since the crisis began has left tens of thousands of women in desperate search of affordable options. Even basic necessities like sanitary pads have become a luxury, pushing women to the brink.
Enter initiatives like Dawrati, stepping in to address the growing crisis by providing free menstrual products to those in need. Yet, the struggle persists as donations dwindle, leaving organizations struggling to meet demand.
But amidst the struggle, there is hope. Organizations like WingWoman Lebanon are empowering refugee women to create reusable pads, offering a sustainable solution. Through colorful cloth and innovative design, these pads provide not just relief but dignity to those in need.
For women like Rima Ali, who fled the war in Syria, the memories of past hardships are painfully rekindled. Yet, there is resilience in her voice as she embraces the idea of reusable pads as a lifeline amidst the crisis.
Lebanon's period poverty is a silent crisis, one that demands attention and action. It's a call to break the silence, to stand in solidarity with women like Sherine and Rima, and to pave the way for a future where no woman has to choose between dignity and necessity. Join us in the fight against period poverty. Together, we can make a difference.