MANILA: Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Thursday emphasized the immediate need to help women fight 'period poverty" by promoting menstrual health. 'Period poverty is something that we need to address urgently, even as we address other issues, such as financial literacy and financial inclusion of women," Pangandaman, head of the Philippine delegation to the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York, the United States, said late Thursday night (Manila time). Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and reproductive education that affects women globally, causing physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Pangandaman said she would initiate a study to identify the causes and understand the gravity of period poverty in the Philippines. She also sought a 'whole-of-government' approach to address the pressing issues confronting women. "This is something that we don't really address in the Philippines because it's almost taboo to even talk ab out it," Pangandaman said. 'But it's a real problem - in fact, it's a global community health dilemma - that affects women and girls." She said that considering that almost 50 percent of the Philippine population is female, it is important to identify the social, cultural, economic, and even political barriers to menstrual products, education, and sanitation. Pangandaman also cited the need to know the health issues associated with period poverty, which include urinary tract infections and depression. 'It can even be a barrier to accessing quality education and staying in school," she added. "Not having menstrual care products and reproductive education can have serious consequences on both physical and emotional health.' Poor menstrual health and hygiene undercut women's fundamental rights, including the right to work and go to school, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA has also noted that the lack of menstrual hygiene management worsens social and economic management. The Philippine delegation is currently in the US for CSW68, the largest annual event on gender equality and women's empowerment, fostering important conversations among governments, civil society organizations, experts, and activists worldwide. Source: Philippines News Agency Chonburi, A sedan crashed into a cement barrier and burst into flames on the motorway. Inbound to Map Ta Phut The driver was burned to death. Mapprachan Highway Police Inspecting the incident of a car crashing into a cement barrier and bursting into flames on the motorway inbound to Map Ta Phut. Chonburi Province Officials sprayed water on the fire and it took about 10 minutes for the fire to extinguish and they found the driver's body burned to death. Therefore, a cutting device was used to take out the body and send it for identification. Preliminary information is that before the fire broke out The driver tried to honk his horn to ask for help. But no one could help in time. because the fire burned quickly As for the area of ??Pattaya City Police Station There was a motorcycle accident. Crashed into the back of a pickup truck While stopping at a red light on the motorway inbound to Chonburi Before reaching the North Pattaya entrance, the fire was engulfed. Volunteers sprayed water and helped the car own er. who was completely burned and sent to the hospital The pickup truck driver said that while stopping at a red light, he suddenly heard a loud crash on the back of the truck. He turned around and found that the opposing motorcycle was engulfed in flames and the driver was burnt and seriously injured. Source: Thai News Agency
