When basic needs aren’t met—how period poverty affects Indigenous women in Canada

“People are having a hard time supporting just their basic needs. Menstrual items are within that,” states Michelle Hand, a communications manager at an Alberta Food Bank. While this is an issue that affects many communities, the Indigenous one is impacted at higher rates. 

Period poverty is a problem that negatively impacts Indigenous women in Canada due to an unsupportive system. Work, life, education, mental well-being and physical health are all impacted when women can’t access or afford menstrual products. 

There are several factors that cause menstrual inequity in Canadian Indigenous communities. These factors include social isolation, the impacts of colonialism, and economic disparities. Indigenous populations frequently face higher rates of poverty than other communities; One in four Indigenous Canadians deal with poverty. Unfortunately, this can lead to some Indigenous women being forced to choose between paying for food, healthcare, or menstrual products. 

A survey led by Moon Time Connections, the only Indigenous-led period equity group in Canada, found that about 74% of Canadian Indigenous women struggle to access period products. This challenge can lead to women using unsafe alternatives or using the same products repeatedly, which may cause damaging health effects. 

According to the survey, respondents mentioned three main reasons as to why they didn’t buy menstrual products: they were too expensive (24%), out of stock (37%), or women needed to prioritize buying other items (23%). 

Nicole White, the woman behind Moon Time Connections, has made social justice an important aspect of her life. She has had several involvements in advancing queer rights in Saskatchewan as well as advocated for gender identity to be included in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. White was also recognized for her contributions in gender equality in Canada and was given a Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in 2024.  

White has emphasized that period products are “absolutely a right that everyone should have access to.” 

Additionally, the report highlighted the difference between the struggles of accessing period products for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. 58% of Indigenous respondents stated that they “sometimes” had a hard time getting their necessary materials. Compared to only 7% of non-Indigenous communities saying that they face difficulty accessing them. 

To address this ongoing problem, the Government of Canada started the Menstrual Equity Fund (MEF) pilot, which was expected to distribute 74.5 million period products to communities lacking resources. The pilot program selected over 300 locations throughout the country as well as six menstrual equity organizations to increase awareness and education. The MEF results have shown some success, which influenced an additional $5 million in funding for Food Banks Canada. The intention is to distribute menstrual products in northern communities and provide funds for awareness organizations. 

Before colonization, certain Indigenous cultures saw menstruation as a “powerful and sacred time for women”.   

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, a writer based in Iqaluit Nunavut, has written in the Walrus about her own experiences encountering menstruation from a traditional perspective and how that changed as she was later exposed to mainstream Western views. “I grow frustrated with how menstruation is often spoken about today,” she wrote. “When any discussion of the cycle is boiled down to the mechanics of fertility, for example, the heteronormative, patriarchal norms of our colonizers take over.” 

When women don’t have the proper resources and menstrual products, it can lead to serious short- and long-term health effects. Improvised alternatives like rags can potentially lead to urinary and reproductive tract infections. Additionally, using one product (such as tampons or menstrual cups if they go unwashed) for extended periods can lead to toxic shock syndrome.  

Period poverty takes a toll on mental health and well-being too. Not being able to access the right products can be stressful. This can lead to social isolation, feelings of shame, and low self-esteem.  

Another key finding of the survey relates to poor school attendance (18%) and work attendance (28%) due to the lack of access to hygiene products.  

Organizations like the Food Bank and Moon Time Connections are working towards making menstrual products more available to everyone. According to Michelle Hand, representative at the Food Bank, they have noticed an increase in demand in 2024, going from 600 families in need to 1,000 per month. And in addition to distributing about ten million menstrual products to schools, healthcare centres, and other programs since 2017, Moon Time Connections is also providing menstrual education. 

In Nicole White’s opinion, “we should be making menstrual products as readily available as toilet paper.” 

Cover image: Sarah Taylor