Addressing Period Poverty

Alice Clarke discusses the growing issue of Period Poverty, and why it needs to be talked about

Period poverty impacts millions of people worldwide. Many may think poverty is incompatible with living in the UK however it is an unspoken issue that needs to be addressed.

According to Plan International UK, 1 in 7 young people struggle to afford menstrual products and 1 in 10 cannot afford them at all. Imagine the inconvenience that comes with your period, the pain, the mess and mood shift all without the very basic necessity we take for granted that will make our periods pass without too much stress.

The impact of Covid-19 has worsened accessibility to menstruation products for many

and highlighted how an attitude change is needed. Freedom4Girls, a charity fighting

period poverty, told the BBC that demand for their menstrual packs increased 5 fold over the pandemic.

Period poverty is intrinsically linked with all poverty; food takes priority over period products. It is therefore so important that these can be accessed easily and for free.

Society’s reluctance to discuss menstruation openly has led to a stalemate in the aid offered to those who menstruate and also a failure to consider menstruation items essential. Talking about menstruation is a taboo, and many feel embarrassed. If young people were educated about their body, the conversation normalised then perhaps accessibility to period products would be taken more seriously.

I believe period products should be accessible for free. Everyone who menstruates deserves to feel dignified and clean. Those who are homeless should have easy access to these products Schools, universities and workplaces should supply all bathrooms with sanitary products. Menstruation needs to be normalised.

"According to Plan International UK, 1 in 7 young people struggle to afford menstrual products and 1 in 10 cannot afford them at all"

For more information about period poverty visit: https://www.actionaid.org.uk/our-work/womens-rights/period-poverty