Table of Contents
Updated on October 9, 2025
Raising awareness. Driving change. Supporting dignity.
Every October, Period Action Day calls attention to a global issue that affects millions: the lack of access to menstrual products and the stigma surrounding menstruation. While this day is a rallying cry for change, it is also a powerful opportunity for businesses to step up—not just for one day, but year-round.
The Hidden Cost of Unexpected Periods in the Workplace
Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet many workplaces are not equipped to support employees who menstruate. When someone gets an unexpected period and cannot access products at work, they may be forced to leave the workplace entirely. This contributes to lost productivity and absenteeism.
A nationwide study in the Netherlands found that:
- 13.8% of women reported absenteeism during their periods.
- The average absenteeism due to menstruation was 1.3 days per year.
These numbers reflect a broader issue: workplaces must treat menstrual health as a matter of dignity, inclusion, and productivity.
The Impact on Education: A Barrier to Learning
The classroom is another space where period poverty and in access disrupts lives. A survey of U.S. teens found:
- 25% of menstruating students missed class because they didn’t have access to period products.
- 84% have missed or know someone who missed class due to lack of access.
- Students often resort to unhygienic alternatives or avoid school altogether, contributing to chronic absenteeism and widening gender education gaps.
When students miss school because of menstruation, it is not just a personal issue; it is a systemic failure.
Citron Hygiene: Driving Social Impact Year-Round
At Citron Hygiene, we believe that period dignity is a right, not a privilege. That is why we have built menstrual equity into our core mission:
- Social Impact Donation Program: Citron Hygiene has donated over 160,000 Aunt Flow period products to Indigenous communities across Canada, and contributed to the 7 million period products worldwide donated by Aunt Flow.
- Advocacy with ISSA: As proud sponsors and members of the ISSA End Period Poverty campaign, we advocate for public policies that increase access to free period products and proper disposal solutions in washrooms.
- Clean Advocacy Summit: Citron Hygiene actively participates in the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, where industry leaders meet with congressional offices to push for legislative change. In 2025, over 140 leaders, including three representatives from Citron Hygiene, advocated for menstrual equity on Capitol Hill.
Creating Change, One Washroom at a Time
Businesses have the power to create inclusive environments where menstruators feel supported, not stigmatized. By providing touch-free dispensers, hygienic disposal bins, and access to free period products, companies can reduce absenteeism, boost morale, and contribute to a more equitable society.
On Period Action Day, and every day, let’s commit to creating spaces where no one is held back because they menstruate.
