Period & Hygiene Poverty: Recognizing The Need for Community Action

The other day, while walking through a large chain store, something startling caught my attention. In every hygiene aisle, there were screens displaying that customers were being monitored by cameras. It wasn’t until I left the hygiene section and entered other parts of the store that I realized these surveillance screens were primarily located in the makeup and hygiene aisles.

My first thought was one of surprise—how many people must be stealing from these sections for the store to resort to such obvious measures? But then, my second thought hit harder: How sad is it that we, as a society, have let things get to this point? That so many people feel the need to steal essential hygiene products speaks volumes about a much deeper issue—one that is being overlooked or ignored.

This isn’t about "greed"; it’s about need.

The Cost of Basic Hygiene is Unaffordable for Many

The rising cost of basic personal care items has become a pressing issue. According to the Consumer Price Index released by BC Stats in March 2024, the cost of essential products like tampons and pads has increased by 6.3%. In a survey conducted by Plan International Canada, 1 in 4 menstruating women in Canada reported having had to choose between buying period products or other necessities such as food or rent.

Let that sink in: In a country as developed as Canada, 25% of menstruating women are forced to make an impossible decision—between a basic need and survival.

This is more than a statistic. This is a reality that many people face every day.

Hygiene Poverty: More Common Than We Think

Hygiene poverty is a growing problem that transcends income brackets. While Statistics Canada reported in 2022 that 9.9% of Canadians live in poverty, hygiene poverty affects even those above the poverty line. Many families are grappling with the difficult choice between food and hygiene products. For parents and caregivers, it’s a heartbreaking situation to be in—sending their kids to school or going to work themselves without access to basic hygiene items like toothpaste, soap, or sanitary products.

When people can’t afford these essentials, they are often faced with two choices: go without or steal.

The Real Cost of Theft: Beyond the Product

When someone is caught stealing basic hygiene products, the consequences can extend far beyond the act itself. They could face legal action, fines, or even a criminal record for petty theft—further trapping them in a cycle of poverty. It’s a cruel irony: The very thing that people need to maintain dignity, health, and social mobility can become the catalyst for deeper systemic issues.

Think about what this does to a person’s self-esteem. Kids miss school because they’re ashamed of being unable to afford period products. Adults may skip job interviews or even workdays due to poor hygiene. These simple barriers have the potential to hold people back from changing their circumstances and improving their lives.

What Can We Do?

We need to shift the conversation away from theft and towards solutions. Rather than investing in more cameras and security measures in hygiene aisles, what if stores were proactive in addressing the root cause of this issue?

Here’s one idea: A community hygiene bank.

Large chain stores could set up a cupboard at the front of the store, allowing customers to purchase hygiene items and donate them for those in need. It would be a no-questions-asked system, where people could access products they desperately need without judgment or shame.

This would serve multiple purposes:

1.      It would provide immediate relief to those struggling to afford essential hygiene products.

2.      It would reduce the need for theft, potentially saving people from legal trouble and a criminal record that could make it harder for them to escape poverty.

3.      Most importantly, it would foster a sense of community—showing that people can and will step up to help one another.

In today’s world, no one should have to choose between hygiene and survival. This is a first-world country, and we should be better than this. Period poverty and hygiene poverty are solvable problems. With a little community-minded thinking, we could create a system that supports our most vulnerable members.

Imagine a world where a child doesn’t have to skip school because of period or hygiene poverty. Where a single parent doesn’t have to choose between rent and soap. Where a young adult isn’t forced into a criminal record for stealing toothpaste. These are not far-fetched dreams. These are real, achievable solutions. But they require us to recognize the true issue and take collective action.

The question is, what will we do? Will we continue to criminalize people for being unable to afford the basics, or will we step up and show the kindness, generosity, and humanity that I believe is at the core of who we are?

Let’s lift each other up. Let’s start by solving hygiene poverty, one small act at a time.

Written by Bailey Fujita-Stewart,
Member of Interior Womens Centre Society