The Intersectionality of Period Poverty and Incarceration

Presenter

Amelia Laino

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Caralyn Zehnder, Department of Biology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board C37, Poster Showcase Room (163), Row 4 (C31-C40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Menstruators often struggle with accessing menstrual hygiene products of good quality and adequate healthcare. Period poverty is the limited or inadequate access to menstrual products or menstrual health education. Period poverty and incarceration within the framework of women's health is a multifaceted challenge that often goes unaddressed due to stigma surrounded in-prisoned individuals. Drawing upon an intersectional lens and examining the impact of period poverty within the incarcerated population. Through a comprehensive review of literature, and analysis of policy documents, the research highlights the systemic barriers that perpetuate menstrual inequities among incarcerated women. These include limited access to affordable or free menstrual products, inadequate healthcare facilities, and stigma surrounding menstruation. Furthermore, this poster will also explore the adverse health outcomes resulting from untreated menstrual hygiene needs, such as infections, discomfort, and compromised mental well-being. Alongside this poster, there will be a creative collage artifact that will reflect the research being conducted. By situating period poverty within the broader context of incarceration and women's health, this contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersecting oppressions experienced by marginalized women. This research offers insights for policy reform, advocacy, and intervention strategies aimed at promoting menstrual equity and improving the overall health outcomes of incarcerated individuals.

 

 

Keywords

Period Poverty , Women's Health , Incarceration , Public Health

Research Area

Women's Studies

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