Scoping

The researcher began the project by exploring women's health, dividing it into phases of women's lives and the problems they face at each stage. With a focus on menstruation the researcher narrowed onto two aspects- one being Endometriosis and the other being period poverty. Gaining deeper insights by speaking to women and conducting desk research made it evident that the two issues are interconnected. Menstrual health is grossly neglected by women. This problem is further exacerbated in the low income communities where literacy levels are low and shame around menstruation is high. This makes periods even more invisible.

On average, girls miss six days of class each month due to shame surrounding their periods or a lack of sanitary products in India. (The Borgen Project, 2019)

176 million women today suffer from endometriosis” (Indian Center for Endometriosis 2018) 40% of girls in the UK have used toilet roll because they've struggled to afford sanitary wear. (Plan International UK, 2017)

Endometriosis costs the UK economy £8.2bn a year in treatment, loss of work and healthcare costs. (Simoens, Dunselman, Dirksen, et al. 2014)

Scope for bringing about change even at a policy level Scope for bringing about change even at a policy level

Image 5: Screenshot of Miro board a