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Mensuration is a biological process that occurs every month to half of the world’s population. Despite being one of the most essential and normal parts of life, sanitary pads are treated as luxury rather than a necessity. Many females out in the streets still have to choose between the comfort of a sanitary pad or lunch. The idea of making sanitary pads free is not about giving special treatments to women but to provide them with basic human dignity and health.

Mensuration for women is not a choice. It is a process that has to occur as a part of the female reproductive system. Like food, water, personal hygiene is not a subject that should be neglected at all. If we do not charge people for the soap and the tissue in washrooms then why charge for the menstrual products? Providing free sanitary pads recognizes that they are not optional but vital for hygiene and comfort.

‘Period Poverty’. A term that refers to the lack of ability to afford menstrual products. It is a serious issue for people that are homeless out in the streets. The choice between food and hygiene leaves them with unsafe alternatives like rags, papers, leaves or even garbage papers which can cause infections and other health problems. Even in developed places, young girls still skip schools during their period because they do not have the proper sanitary products. Missing several days of school every month leads to lower grades, in some cases dropping out altogether.

Providing free sanitary pads is not only a matter of comfort or convenience but instead it is a public health issue. When girls and women are forced to use unhygienic materials during periods, they are really prone to having infections like urinary tract infection(UTI) and reproductive tract infection(RTI). These can lead to long term health complications.

Several countries have already recognised the importance of providing free menstrual products. Scotland became the first country in the world to make sanitary pads and tampons free for everyone in 2020. The government supplies them in schools, colleges and public buildings. Free sanitary is about dignity. No one should have to feel embarrassed, miss school or risk their health because they can’t afford a basic hygiene product. Mensuration should never be a source of hardship.

When a society frees menstrual products, it acknowledges the basic needs of half its population and treats them with respect.

Sanitary pads are not a luxury, they are a necessity. Making them free is not just an act of kindness but a step forward to fairness and public health. By ensuring that every person who menstruates has access to proper hygiene products, we can eliminate period poverty, promote education and protect health and challenge long standing stigmas.