Progressive Alliance councillors are calling on residents to challenge negative social norms around menstruation and help tackle period poverty ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day tomorrow (28/5).
Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to end the stigma and raise awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual and hygiene products:
- One in four people struggle to afford period products.
- Over 137,000 children miss school because of period poverty in the UK each year.
- 37% of people have had to go without hygiene essentials or cut down on them because of financial problems.
This means that many local people will rely on organisations such as Girl Pack and Girls Flow Free for free period and hygiene products.
Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member Emily Darlington and Labour Councillor Shanika Mahendran (Loughton & Shenley Ward) visited Girls Flow Free this week. They said: “It is heart-breaking to think that so many people are held back because they menstruate. Periods are a natural part of life that cannot be helped, and everybody should have the right to period products. Local organisations like Girl Pack and Girls Flow Free are an asset to our community and help so many people.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Kerrie Bradburn (Broughton Ward) added: “Many people have little knowledge of menstruation and the real barrier that it can present by stopping those who menstruate from going to work or school. Progressive Alliance councillors are committed to supporting local initiatives that fight period poverty and we encourage everybody to get involved today.”
Sophia Acheampong, Founder & Executive Director of Girls Flow Free, concluded: “Period poverty is real. Today, one in four women in the UK cannot afford menstrual pads. Our work makes sure that people have access to menstrual pads, and this is because of the rippling effects that the absence of menstrual pads has on women, girls and everyone who menstruates.”
