One in 10 young people in the UK are unable to access essential menstruation products and two million pupils miss school because of their periods. But we’re fighting to help end period poverty…
Millie, 16, is a Girlguiding advocate passionate about ending period poverty and breaking the stigma around menstruation. She says, “I first heard about the extent of period poverty when I joined Girlguiding and saw their research on it – specifically that one in 10 girls say their family can’t afford to buy period products. It really opened my eyes, and that’s when I became passionate about the topic and campaigning. There should be no shame around periods.
“I helped get the Period Products Scheme into my school and tried to make sure there were more options and sizes available to suit everyone. I also recently joined a roundtable event with the department of education to give feedback on the scheme.
“Although my school use the scheme, it isn’t implemented in others or students have to ask staff for products, which means products aren’t readily available. Period poverty has been shown to directly cause decreasing levels of happiness in girls and they also miss out on crucial opportunities, such as sport and school. With the cost of living on the increase, more people will suffer.
“I believe the scheme should be made permanent and that the government should consult students on it and provide regular evaluations. I’d love to see free period products not just in schools, but in community spaces, like libraries and sports centres, too.”
To find out more, go to girlguiding.org.uk
How to help
Take a Break have teamed up with the charity Cash for Kids and Absolute Radio and are supporting their campaign to help end period poverty.
Text PERIOD to 70905 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus your standard network rate. 100 per cent of your donation will go to Cash for Kids (registered charity 1122062, SC041421 & SC003334). Over 18’s only, full terms at cashforkids.org.uk/textdonate
Every £10 will provide period products for a month for a young woman living in poverty.
