THE INITIATIVE SUPPORTS STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE TO ACCESS FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.

The Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon. Joachim Henry, has defended the Government’s decision to allocate $250,000 toward addressing limited or inadequate access to menstrual health products among students in Saint Lucia.

As part of the 2025-2026 Budget Address, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre announced that the Ministry of Education would receive $250,000 to support students who struggle to access essential feminine hygiene products due to financial constraints, a reality faced by countless girls and women worldwide and in Saint Lucia.

While the initiative has been welcomed by many as a significant step toward restoring dignity and protecting the basic human rights of young women and girls, a few individuals publicly denounced the measure as "disgraceful, shameful, and a waste of resources."

Minister Henry strongly rebuked such criticisms, emphasizing that the allocation is not only justified but essential.

"This investment is a vital lifeline to many young females facing the invisible but devastating challenge of period poverty," Minister Henry stated. "It demonstrates the caring nature of this Government — championing kindness, dignity, and humanity at the most fundamental level. To suggest that efforts to ensure girls can attend school with confidence and dignity are shameful is, in itself, a shameful betrayal of compassion and progress."

The Minister stressed that no young person should have to miss school, suffer stigma, or feel lesser because of their inability to afford basic hygiene products. He says the Government’s decision reflects a broader commitment to building a more just, compassionate society where the needs of all citizens, especially the vulnerable, are prioritized.

Period poverty is a pervasive and deeply rooted global issue, affecting millions of girls and women who lack access to safe, affordable menstrual hygiene products. It is not merely a personal inconvenience but a public health crisis that undermines education, health, and gender equality.

Minister Henry notes that while period poverty primarily affects girls and women, it is a societal issue that demands the concern and support of all — including fathers, brothers, husbands, and male leaders. Men he says, have a vital role to play in advocating for dignity, equality, and access to basic needs for the women and girls in their lives. Ensuring that no one faces the burden of period poverty alone strengthens families, builds more compassionate communities, and upholds the fundamental values of respect and care.

He urged Saint Lucians to see beyond partisan attacks and recognize the humanity at the heart of the initiative. "This is about recognizing that every young girl deserves the right to education, dignity, and health. It is about a government that listens, cares, and acts."

The United Nations has recognized period poverty as a serious barrier to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to education, gender equality, and health.