“Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics”: The Implications of COVID-19 for Online and Offline Menstrual Activism in Great Britain

Abstract

Menstrual activists have long adopted an intersectional approach in their work to reduce period poverty, eradicate menstrual stigma, and educate audiences about health and sustainability. By forcing offline activities to cease, COVID-19 created unprecedented barriers for menstrual activists, including the closure of offline spaces and social distancing. Lockdown, however, provided a unique opportunity to assess the effectiveness of digital activism and created valuable knowledge that will have a long-term impact on the aims and practices of menstrual activists. Interviews conducted with 32 menstrual activists across Great Britain demonstrate that although digital technologies help to raise awareness among more privileged audiences, they are less effective for conducting intersectional activism that supports communities who are disadvantaged by factors such as race, class, or disability. Furthermore, as activists often focus on the material needs of menstruating women and people, relying solely on digital communication considerably reduces the effectiveness of their work.