Plan International Hong Kong Releases First Comprehensive Study on Period Poverty: Revealing Challenges Faced by Women and Girls in Hong Kong One in Ten Experienced Period Poverty; Half Prefer Not to Be Women Due to Menstrual-Related Distress
Period poverty is not just an economic issue; it is a structural dilemma that hinders women from safely navigating their menstrual cycles with dignity. According to the definition by the UN Women, period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, basic facilities, and accurate information. However, Hong Kong still lacks systematic studies on this issue, making it difficult to formulate effective strategies for improvement.
To fill this research gap, Plan International Hong Kong commissioned Saint Francis University to jointly conduct the first comprehensive study on period poverty in Hong Kong—titled “Situation Analysis Study on Period Poverty in Hong Kong”. On 16 October 2025, a press conference was held to announce research findings, while advocating for the end of period poverty in conjunction with the upcoming “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” on 17 October. The conference featured interpretations of the research results and strategic suggestions from the CEO of Plan International Hong Kong, Dr. Kanie Siu, Assistant Director, Hong Kong Programme and Advocacy, Ms. Jessica Lam, Senior Research and Advocacy Officer Ms. Tracy Leung, along with Dr. Doris Fok and Dr. Fung Ka Yi , Assistant Professors from the School of Social Science of Saint Francis University. Ms. Chan, a focus group respondent and member of the Kwai Chung SDU Kai Fong Association, also shared the real-life circumstances of grassroots and vulnerable women.
Dr. Kanie Siu, CEO of Plan International Hong Kong, stated, “Plan International is committed to creating a just world that promotes children’s rights and provides equal opportunities for girls. In developing countries, many girls face period poverty due to factors such as gender inequality and poverty. During menstruation, they lack access to sanitary products and may resort to using leaves and rags, leading to infections. The lack of sanitary facilities in schools also causes them to miss classes during their menstrual periods, affecting their learning progress. Currently, some developed countries, such as the UK, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, are also experiencing ‘period poverty’. We are very concerned about whether girls in Hong Kong are also facing ‘period poverty’, but there is a lack of relevant research and data in Hong Kong. Therefore, the organisation has initiated this research survey to understand the related circumstances and provide a foundation for future advocacy for menstrual equity and the elimination of period poverty.”
This study utilised a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative research: from June to August 2025, telephone interviews through random sampling were conducted to gather opinions from 1,000 women aged 12 to 54 in Hong Kong; from August to September, seven focus group interviews were conducted, targeting vulnerable groups including women living in subdivided flats, food bank beneficiaries, ethnic minorities, and young women in residential care.
One in Ten Women Faces Period Poverty; Economic Pressure Can Lead to Hidden Health Risks
The research indicates that one in ten respondents has difficulty affording or obtaining menstrual products due to financial constraints, which extrapolates to a population of approximately 236,000 women aged 12 to 54 in Hong Kong living in period poverty. Additionally, over 27% of women and nearly 30% of girls and young women have had to reduce their use of related sanitary products due to economic pressure, having experienced some form of period poverty.
Moreover, Dr. Doris Fok and Dr. Fung Ka Yi, Assistant Professors from the School of Social Science of Saint Francis University, pointed out that, according to the recommendations by the Hong Kong Family Planning Association, sanitary pads should be changed at least every four hours, amounting to no fewer than six changes a day to maintain basic hygiene and reduce infection risks. However, the survey found that about a quarter of respondents change their menstrual products only three times a day, far below the recommended standard.
Focus group interviews further revealed that many grassroots girls reduce their consumption of products to save costs, often resorting to methods like “frequently going to the bathroom to release the blood” or “adding tissue to sanitary pads” to extend usage. These coping strategies born out of economic pressure may alleviate financial burden temporarily but could increase health risks, highlighting the deep impact of period poverty on women’s hygiene behaviors and health management.
Respondents Would Rather Not Be Women
The survey also indicates that period shaming is prevalent in Hong Kong, with nearly two-thirds of women having heard or experienced negative comments; nearly half (49.6%) of respondents expressed that, due to the physical and mental distress caused by menstruation, they would “rather not be a woman.”
Among them, the situation of period shaming is most severe in the 12 to 24 age group, with 34.8% of respondents under 18 feeling embarrassed or ashamed about menstruation, the highest proportion across all age groups. Dr. Fok shared, “Teenagers often lack independent income and are more susceptible to societal prejudices due to insufficient education and experience, and they may feel embarrassed to seek help, leading to hidden and exacerbated issues. Therefore, this group needs priority support to avoid long-term negative impacts.”
Insufficient Accessibility to Menstrual Products and Facilities; Gaps in Menstrual Health Support Raise Concerns
Furthermore, 60% of respondents indicated that schools, workplaces, or public places do not provide menstrual products or are unsure if they do. In terms of menstrual health management, Dr. Fok added, “The survey found that while 95.8% of women experienced menstrual discomfort, 93.3% have never sought medical help; over one-sixth of respondents have had infections or menstrual health issues, with 17.3% never having received treatment, potentially forming a hidden health crisis.”
Vulnerable Women Face Ongoing Economic Burden; Daily Life Lacks Support and Respect
Ms. Tracy Leung, Senior Research and Advocacy Officer, cited multiple cases from the focus groups, pointing out that young women and ethnic minority women not only face ongoing economic burdens but also lack support and respect in their daily lives. Ms. Leung stated, “Many young girls expressed that sanitary pads are too expensive to afford. Additionally, school restrooms are unsanitary, lack privacy, and it is difficult to obtain temporary menstrual products; some have even been publicly punished or shamed for needing to use the restroom frequently during their periods. Some delay seeking medical help due to high medical costs or long waiting times, even if they continue to feel unwell.”
Member of the Kwai Chung SDU Kai Fong Association, Ms. Chan, who is an underprivileged woman living in a subdivided flat, shared that her day-to-day difficulties experiencing period poverty. “The monthly cost of sanitary products is overwhelming for us,” she explained, “To save money, I only purchase them when they are on sale. During my period, I usually stay at home so that I can visit the bathroom more often to release the blood and reduce the need for frequent pad changes. However, my young daughter doesn’t yet understand how to conserve, and her higher usage only deepens our financial burden.” Ms Chan also illustrated her physical illness of menstruation. “My periods are very painful, and I often feel bloated even before they begin. Yet, medical consultations are very expensive, so I rely on painkillers and haemostatics to ease the discomfort. Also, as it is humid inside the subdivided flat, it is difficult to dry my underwear during my period, and it often develops an unpleasant odour,” she said.
Multi-faceted Approach with Policy, Education, and Materials Support Aimed at Ending Period Poverty in Hong Kong
Based on the research findings, Ms. Jessica Lam, Assistant Director, Hong Kong Programme and Advocacy, proposed recommendations. Firstly, at the government level, it is recommended to include menstrual products in CSSA and other poverty alleviation policies to provide ongoing support. Also, it is suggested to enhance public awareness of menstrual health services provided by the newly established “Women Wellness Satellites” through targeted promotion, and conduct regular user data analysis to monitor women’s menstrual health in Hong Kong, to guide future strategies and educational initiatives. Secondly, it is suggested to install vending machines supplying menstrual products in schools, public restrooms, shopping malls, and MTR stations to improve the immediate accessibility of products.
To address period shaming, Ms. Lam emphasised the importance of education, “To alleviate the pressures and discrimination caused by period shaming, stigma, and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation, we recommend integrating menstrual health into school curricula, covering physiological, psychological, stigma, discomfort management, and societal issues like period poverty. Additionally, the psychological impacts of menstruation should be incorporated into existing emotional support mechanisms to address the emotional distress and psychological pressure menstruation brings to girls and women.”
To respond to the immediate needs identified in the research, Plan International Hong Kong targets to implement a one-year menstrual product support programme, distributing sanitary products quarterly to 500 girls under 18 who face financial difficulties (including those using accommodation care services). The fundraising goal is HKD 500,000, aimed at alleviating the economic burden on vulnerable girls and serving as a starting point for long-term advocacy, hoping to reduce or even end period poverty among local girls and women.
This research was partially supported by Kotex Hong Kong. The research team was responsible for all aspects of the study, and the opinions and findings expressed herein are those of the authors alone.
“Situation Analysis Study on Period Poverty in Hong Kong” Executive Summary
