22
CLEAN FUTURES
Period poverty
13-year-old Savitri (name changed) lives with her parents and two younger siblings in Manikhel, a small village in the Lalitpur district of Nepal. Her family’s primary source of income is agriculture. However, the family only owns a small piece of land that can only feed them and does not produce much additional income. This has led to severe financial struggles. Savitri is in class 8 at Guru Basic school while also managing the household chores and taking care of her younger siblings when her parents go to work. Her family’s financial situation means she isn’t able to afford her school uniform and education supplies.
Her challenges surrounding school are exacerbated when she’s on her period. The immense stigma around menstruation in her culture means young girls like Savitri don’t receive guidance from parents or teachers, as well as lack any education on reproductive health. Her hour-long journey on foot
