Study Reveals Menstrual Poverty and Exclusion Issues Across Slovakia

A new study on menstrual exclusion has revealed significant disparities between eastern and western Slovakia in access to menstrual products and basic sanitation. According to Natália Blahová from the Dignified Menstruation project, the situation in eastern Slovakia is particularly severe due to the number of people lacking access to running water. She described this as bringing Slovakia to the level of developing countries, noting that lack of water access is even more serious than the absence of menstrual products. The research highlights a stark contrast in awareness and understanding of menstrual poverty across different regions of the country. While Blahová says she doesn't need to explain what menstrual poverty is in eastern Slovakia, she faces stigma and political reluctance when addressing the issue at schools in western areas like Rača, a district of Bratislava. The study's findings point to broader infrastructure and social issues that affect women's health and dignity across different socioeconomic regions of Slovakia.