Access is Freedom: Why is the UK government ignoring the period poverty crisis?

Antonia Jenkinson 21/06/2023

Period Poverty

In the past year (2022-23), the UK’s cost of living crisis has meant that the number of those affected by period poverty has risen from 12% to 21% in just one year.

Period poverty is defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education. It is not just about being able to afford sanitary wear, despite preconceptions. It is about getting everyone, not just menstruators, to understand periods, giving them the independence to manage periods safely and effectively.

The past decade has seen a huge growth in period poverty, exacerbated by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. With little action being taken by the current government to tackle the wealth crisis or redistribute funds to manage the recession, it seems that the 9% increase in people living in period poverty that took place in 2022 willl exponentially increase each year. Action Aid statistics note that 50% of girls struggled to afford menstrual products in 2022 alone. So why is nothing being done?

The Scottish government has now made sanitary wear free in Scotland, however, according to the gov.uk website, parliament does not provide this in England is it is not deemed ‘good value for taxpayers money.’ The period poverty epidemic can be in part put down to the neglect of people who menstruate at the hands of the government. At the end of May 2023, Penny Mourdant, minister for Women and Equalities, announced that sanitary wear would be free in schools and that a Period Poverty Taskforce was being collated alongside women’s health charities. However, no explicit plans have been announced for the task force, leading many to believe that the task force is a performative choice to redirect attention away from the government’s negligence.

Why are we talking about it?

Over 50% of the UK population menstruates, covering a huge age demographic from between 8-14 to 45-55.

Period poverty is not only emotionally damaging for menstruators, but is also dangerous. Action Aid notes that 41% of people with periods have been, at some point, forced to use disposable menstrual products longer than safely advised due to financial difficulties. This can often mean that people will resort to toilet roll or rags, highly increasing the risk of urogenital infections like urinary tract infections or vaginosis. Tackling period poverty starts with dismantling the stigma surrounding periods so that people can feel able to reach out for available help.

What can I do?

No one should have to choose between period products or food. If you can, talk, donate, and invest in period eduction to change period poverty for good.

Even disposable products are becoming increasingly inaffordable - despite the removal of the tampon tax, Tesco doubled the price of its tampons and pads last year. If you can afford to, donate menstrual products to food shelters. You can do this by dropping a box of pads or tampons into a box at your local suoermarket during your weekly food shop, or take a pack of period pants to a local women’s shelter. This can help alleviate the financial burden of purchasing menstrual products and as a consequence money can instead be spent on food, bills, and more comfortable living. No one should have to choose between period products or food.

Talk! The more we can talk and raise awareness about period poverty, the more people with power will be forced to do something. Use your voice and take democracy into your own hands; there are regularly protests outside local and national council buildings disputing the neglect people who menstruate are facing at the hands of institutions of power. Using your voice, and your right to democracy, doesn’t necessarily mean going out and rioting – it can mean emailing your local MP, voting in local and general elections for policies which aim to alleviate the period poverty crisis in the UK, or just talking to your friends and family about period poverty.

Investing in reusable products is a great way of making a stance, and also saving money! If you can afford to, buying reusable products shows demand for sustainable period living. Not only are you helping a good cause, but saving yourself some precious money, as well as the environment.

Finally, buy one of our reusable pads! With every 1 pad sold through the SuPer Project, 1 is donated to someone struggling in period poverty. There are many different sizes, flows and patterns for whatever you need. Follow the link below to check them out!

Keep an eye out to see if we are running any classes to teach how to make our reusable pads. If you have a little sewing knowledge and some free time, we are always looking for volunteers so that we can provide as many free sanitary items as possible. Pop into our store in Nottingham city centre to get involved!