Whose Menstruation Matters?: Finnish Online Activism for Period Poverty
Ikäheimo, Jenna-Reetta (2025)
2025
Yhteiskuntatutkimuksen maisteriohjelma - Master's Programme in Social Sciences
Yhteiskuntatieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Social Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-03-14
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202503142792
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202503142792
Tiivistelmä
Period poverty, by definition the limited access to menstrual hygiene products, education or facilities, is a form of poverty, affecting specifically menstruating individuals. This thesis examines online activism aimed at ending period poverty in Finland by analysing twenty-two activist texts published between 2015 and 2024. The study explores the key themes activists emphasise and assesses whether their discussions are informed by intersectionality and challenge existing power structures. Guided by the following research questions (1) What are the key themes emphasised by Finnish activists and advocates when discussing period poverty? and “(2) How do Finnish activists incorporate intersectionality into their advocacy and how do these efforts challenge or reinforce power structures?”, in this study I explore online period poverty activism in Finland.
To address these questions, I employ a feminist intersectional policy analysis to examine how activists frame period poverty, shape public perception, and impact policy discourse. This framework provides a critical lens for assessing the role of intersectionality and power structures within activism. Through a detailed analysis of activist texts, I explore how their efforts challenge or reinforce dominant power structures, as well as the barriers faced by marginalised individuals in addressing period poverty. With the analysis, this thesis offers a critical perspective on how Finland’s existing policies could be reformed to more equitably serve those most affected by period poverty.
Beyond policy analysis, my research contributes to broader discussions on intersectionality in activism. It highlights the importance of inclusive advocacy that acknowledges diverse experiences of marginalised individuals. Ultimately, this research calls for policies that move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, advocating for a more equitable approach to menstrual justice that actively challenges systemic inequalities and empowers people who experience period poverty.
To address these questions, I employ a feminist intersectional policy analysis to examine how activists frame period poverty, shape public perception, and impact policy discourse. This framework provides a critical lens for assessing the role of intersectionality and power structures within activism. Through a detailed analysis of activist texts, I explore how their efforts challenge or reinforce dominant power structures, as well as the barriers faced by marginalised individuals in addressing period poverty. With the analysis, this thesis offers a critical perspective on how Finland’s existing policies could be reformed to more equitably serve those most affected by period poverty.
Beyond policy analysis, my research contributes to broader discussions on intersectionality in activism. It highlights the importance of inclusive advocacy that acknowledges diverse experiences of marginalised individuals. Ultimately, this research calls for policies that move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, advocating for a more equitable approach to menstrual justice that actively challenges systemic inequalities and empowers people who experience period poverty.