Robinsons GenSan Turns Over Hygiene Kits to Brgy. Lagao in Celebration of Women’s Month

In celebration of Women’s Month, Robinsons GenSan in coordination with Brgy. Lagao in Gen. Santos City, held an outreach program themed “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas, Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patunayan!” engaging select women participants from the community. Addressing female health and hygiene needs, employee volunteers donated over 50 hygiene kits to women beneficiaries.

These hygiene kits address challenges brought about by “period poverty” or the “the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and reproductive education that affects women globally, causing physical, mental, and emotional challenges”.

In a speech by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, head of the Philippine delegation to the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York, USA, held earlier this March, she emphasized the immediate need to help women fight “period poverty" by promoting menstrual health.

Considering that nearly half of the country’s population comprises of female, it’s essential to identify the social, cultural, economic, and even political barriers to menstrual products, education, and sanitation.

She says that awareness on health issues associated with period poverty, which include urinary tract infections and depression is imperative, as they can be barriers to accessing quality education and staying in school.

The lack or absence of access to menstrual care products and reproductive education can have serious consequences on both physical and emotional health. Additionally, poor menstrual health and hygiene undermine women’s fundamental rights, including the right to work and go to school, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).