KINGSTON, Jamaica — In its quest to reduce period poverty in Jamaica, the Sandra Lindsay Foundation, in partnership with Patricia Smith, recently donated period products to female students at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland.

In making the donations to the educational institution, the team also offered presentations on menstruation to the students.

During a question and answer session to test the girls’ knowledge on menstruation, many myths about the natural female cycle were exploded, including the fact that females can swim during their period without any harm, that seawater does not stop a period, and that virgins can use tampons safely.

The students were also encouraged to take special care of themselves by exercising, staying hydrated, including having warm drinks, maintaining a correct diet including fruits and vegetables, and understanding symptoms such as increased irritability and mood swings, cramps and fatigue, which sometimes accompany one’s cycle.

“My foundation is dedicated to ending period poverty, which is the lack of sufficient hygienic products such as menstrual pads, as well as increasing knowledge about periods. Makeshift products can lead to infections,” noted Dr Sandra Lindsay, head of the Sandra Lindsay Foundation, in her talk to the students as she presented sanitary pad dispensaries for the girls, among other products such as first aid kits and body deodorants.

Jamaican-born Dr Lindsay, who came to international attention as the first United States (US) recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine beyond clinical trials in 2020, and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022, the highest US civilian honour, is on a mission to reduce period poverty in Jamaica.

Period poverty is estimated to affect 500 million girls and women globally.

According to Dr Lindsay, some 44 per cent of women in Jamaica are impacted by period poverty, including an estimated 20 per cent of school-age girls.

“Some of the negative impacts of period poverty include missing school, which can affect your education negatively. Period supplies will be here for you at school when you need it,” she told the students.

Home health entrepreneur and author, Patricia Smith, in introducing Dr Lindsay, remarked on the need for parents and other caregivers to inform young girls about periods to better prepare them for its inevitable occurrence during puberty. She said some were reticent about explaining the issue to girls, which could lead to them believing they had harmed themselves or being ill-prepared for them when they occurred.

Principal of Godfrey Stewart High, Emily Lawrence-Ricketts, thanked the donors and urged the girls to heed the advice and education imparted.