Sustainability challenge and related SDGs:
Menstrual poverty is a widespread problem: over 500 million girls and women in developing and developed countries are affected and unable to buy the period products they need.
Poverty is also associated with contraceptive risks and an increased risk of unwanted pregnancies. The poorer the women, the less chance they have of accessing the means - this is true in both industrialized and developing countries.
An example: Even though according to international law, European Union Member States are obliged to provide women with access to contraceptives, it is still a problem in some EU countries as it is not covered by statutory health insurance.
Lack of access to contraceptives and period products limits women's and girls' ability to participate fully and equally in society and undermines their overall social status.
Possible solutions and their contribution to achieving the SDGs
However, access to contraceptives and hygiene items is key to achieving the SDGs by 2030. That’s why SDG 3 advocates for “reproductive health, [...] and wants to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, information and education, by 2030”. It will, in fact, support the ambitions of SDG 5, which aims to “ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights [...].” and promote gender equality by promoting “women’s opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life [...]”.
#HerChoice helps tackle these challenges by focusing on businesses that provide sanitary products and modern contraception. It will help to improve women’s empowerment. It counteracts gender inequalities by increasing women’s decision-making power and autonomy, their participation in the labour force, acquisition of education and improvement of their economic status.
Primarily related SDG Targets: 3.7, 5.5, 5.6
Investment Rationale and Growth Potential
The world is undergoing demographic change: mortality rates are falling, and people are getting older, birth rates are declining, and women are having fewer children.
Furthermore, menstrual hygiene and reproductive health are human rights issues. They are part of public and political debates. In addition, the level of education of women and girls is rising worldwide. Women are gaining more self-determination. The demand for more menstrual hygiene and contraceptive products will increase.
Investment in hygiene products and modern contraceptives is a growing trend that will have a positive impact on various aspects of women's and girls' lives and thus promote gender equality.
