Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon. Joachim Henry, has forcefully defended the Government’s $250,000 allocation to combat period poverty in Saint Lucia, calling the investment a “lifeline” for students and rejecting criticisms that it is a waste of resources.
The funding, announced by Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre during the 2025-2026 Budget Address, will support the Ministry of Education’s initiative to provide feminine hygiene products to students in need — a move the Government says will restore dignity and protect the basic rights of young women and girls across the island.
While the program has been welcomed by many as a progressive step towards addressing a critical yet often overlooked issue, a handful of critics have labelled the measure “shameful” and “disgraceful.” Minister Henry, however, dismissed these remarks as deeply misguided.
“This investment is a vital lifeline to many young females facing the invisible but devastating challenge of period poverty,” Minister Henry said. “To suggest that efforts to ensure girls can attend school with confidence and dignity are shameful is, in itself, a shameful betrayal of compassion and progress.”
He emphasized that no student should have to miss classes or suffer social stigma due to the inability to access basic hygiene products, noting that the initiative aligns with the Government’s broader commitment to building a more just, equitable society.
Period poverty remains a global crisis affecting millions of women and girls, with far-reaching consequences for education, health, and gender equality. The United Nations has identified period poverty as a major barrier to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals.
Minister Henry also stressed that addressing the issue requires the support of all members of society, including men. “Fathers, brothers, husbands, and male leaders have a critical role to play in advocating for dignity, equality, and access to basic needs for the women and girls in their lives,” he said. “Building compassionate communities starts with recognizing and acting on these fundamental human rights.”
Calling for unity beyond partisan divides, Henry urged Saint Lucians to focus on the humanity at the heart of the initiative. “This is about ensuring that every young girl has the right to education, dignity, and health. It is about a government that listens, cares, and acts.”
The Government’s stance positions Saint Lucia alongside a growing number of nations confronting period poverty head-on as a serious public health and human rights issue.
