Did you Know???

The average girl begins menstruating around age 10, and for many, this comes with significant physical challenges. Severe period pain and heavy bleeding can lead to approximately two days missed from school, university, or work every month. Over the course of an average 40-year menstruating span, this adds up to 24 days of missed opportunities each year. In total, she will lose an estimated 960 days to period-related absences—amounting to over two and a half years of educational, training, or career hours lost.

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These missed days translate into real setbacks in her academic progress, skill-building, and career development, putting her at a disadvantage compared to her male counterparts who do not face this unique monthly interruption. The cumulative effect of this lost time exacerbates gender inequalities, impacting her ability to compete for academic achievements, gain workplace experience, or pursue promotions and leadership roles. This ongoing barrier highlights the need for increased support and accommodations for menstruating individuals to ensure equal access to educational and professional advancement.

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• Monthly Absenteeism Due to Menstruation:

  • On average, individuals who experience severe period pain and heavy bleeding miss approximately 2 days per month**.

• Annual Absenteeism:

  • With 2 days missed each month, this totals 24 days per year (2 days x 12 months = 24 days).

• Lifetime Absenteeism Over 40 Years:

  • The average menstruating span is about 40 years, from puberty to menopause.

  • Over these 40 years, 24 days per year adds up to 960 days of missed productivity (24 days x 40 years = 960 days).

• Impact on Productivity in Years:

  • 960 days equals roughly 2.6 years (960 days ÷ 365 days ≈ 2.6 years) of time that could have been spent on education, training, or career advancement.

• Consequences on Gender Equality:

  • This cumulative absenteeism contributes to a gender gap in educational, career, and leadership opportunities, as menstruating individuals may face more interruptions in their schooling, career progression, and skill development compared to non-menstruating counterparts.

By understanding this breakdown, we can see how missed days accumulate over a lifetime, affecting long-term personal and professional advancement and highlighting the need for supportive measures to address these disparities.