It’s a bloody scandal that 3 in 10 can’t afford period products
Cocktail campaign aims to help affected women and get nation talking about the subject
AS MANY as three in 10 women and girls in the UK can’t afford to buy sanitary products during their periods.
Shocking new figures reveal period poverty is much more common than previously thought.
A third of those affected have bled through every day or most days during their period, with 68 per cent having had to use a makeshift period product.
More than a quarter of girls and women affected have missed school or work because they’ve been unable to afford protection.
And more than half of women and men say they have either had direct experience of period poverty or know someone who has, the survey by Ginger Comms and the Bloody Big Brunch found.
Their findings also highlight significant embarrassment around periods.
Almost 90 per cent of schoolgirls wouldn’t want to let their teacher know they’re on their period – but 40 per cent would take part in sport more if they felt more comfortable talking about menstruation. More than a third of girls have had to educate themselves on periods and how they work. Half of men said that they would never buy period products for their partners and almost two-thirds of people said they felt uncomfortable talking about them generally. One in two people would describe periods as unpleasant or disgusting. In response, a host of organisations and individuals, including Hey Girls, Asda, Amika George, Stacey Solomon, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Grace Woodward, have come together to back the UK’s biggest-ever brunch, to be held on Sunday, March 3. The Bloody Big Brunch hopes to help reduce embarrassment around periods and make it easy to send menstrual products to where they’re needed most. People are encouraged to hold their own events serving Bloody (or Virgin) Marys to
friends and family – but guests should pay for their drinks with period products.
If bought from the Hey Girls range on ASDA.com, donations are automatically doubled and distributed to charities around the UK.
Many people support a move for change, with 84 per cent of those surveyed thinking that period products should be available for free in schools and colleges.
A whopping 89 per cent think distributing period products at school is as or more important than the distribution of condoms.
And 65 per cent think period products should be available for free for all women and girls, regardless of income.
Meanwhile, 64 per cent would like to see a more accurate representation on television or in advertising of what it is like to have periods.
Lee Beattie, of the Bloody Big Brunch, said: “As a society, we need to send out the message that menstruation isn’t dirty and it certainly isn’t a luxury. “That’s why the Bloody Big Brunch is important. It’s an accessible way to get involved and spread the word that period products are a basic essential, not nice to have.” Celia Hodson, founder of Hey Girls, added: “We believe in doing good, rather than giving shareholders a nice big profit. “Our buy-one-giveone model means that for every box we sell, we donate a box to a girl or woman in need in the UK. “In the last year, we’ve donated 2.3million products to 200 partners but participation in the Bloody Big Brunch will help accelerate the positive moves already being made.”
To take part, visit bloodybigbrunch. com. Or donate at www.heygirls.co.uk/ shop/donate-pack/