Period Poverty - Please help these girls

[annhar79]

Hi All,

I've posted this on other topics, but posting here too, because I feel so strongly about this!

Today, I heard about a 13yr old girl who ended up in hospital because she used socks for her period - she couldn't afford sanitary products. This is not acceptable in the UK, but it's happening and it's happening in 2017.

Please can you sign this petition to eradicate period poverty from schools. Sanitary provision is NOT a luxury, and periods are not a choice.

It's just totally, totally wrong!!!

This petition to provide free sanitary products to girls from low income families was started by a 17yr old girl.

//www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-free-sanitary-products-for-girls-on-free-school-meals-freeperiods

We should support her will to help other schoolgirls! It only takes 15 seconds to sign- I know because I just did it.

Please share so we can change this appalling situation.

Periods don't discriminate. You get it if you have money or not, so we need the government to help those girls who are struggling to afford them.

Please share. I feel so terrible for these girls who are missing school because their parents can't afford to give them sanitary provision. I will be donating to food banks too.

As a mum of three, I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be for a parent to watch their daughter stay home every month because I can't buy tampons or pads for her.

Please, please, please sign and share!

[KERALA1]

This is awful but if they were given mooncups and taught how to use them they wouldn't need Sanpro. I bought mine for £20 10 years ago never spent a penny on Sanpro since.

[PewdiePug]

Signed

[annhar79]

Agreed. Looking at the petition, it doesn't specify any particular type of sanitary provision, just that help is needed. I'm sure the government will only provide what is the most cost-effective method to roll out.

[Crazy8]

Signed

[annhar79]

Thanks so much. I will look into what else we can do to help these girls. Meanwhile, please can I ask you to share the petition with everyone.

[lotsofbunnies]

Signed too

[dancemom]

Mooncup not always suitable for use when at school. Most toilet cubicles don't have sinks in the cubicle just the shared sinks.

[KERALA1]

I take in a small bottle of water into the cubicle and use them at work. Appreciate not for everyone but if you are in such a desperate situation that you are missing school etc surely it's an option worth exploring.

[user1487194234]

Signed

[annhar79]

Amazing. Please share the link too!

I'm sharing on FB and emailing around.

[Babyroobs]

Please donate them to food banks too, as they are always needed and in short supply.

[dementedma]

Agree donate to foodbanks

[Itaintme]

I don't think mooncups would be suitable for using in a school toilet. They are also tricky to get the hang of especially for young teenage girls. I will donate some sanitry protection to my local food bank.

[magimedi]

I will also donate sanitary protection to my local foodbank.

As it is now some years since I had a period (am in my 60's) & many years since I used towels could someone please tell me what would be the best product to buy?

[annhar79]

Always are the brand I prefer, but to be honest, the store brands are fine too.
Just reading the petition and realising how lucky those of us who can afford them really are.
Can't imagine having to miss school as a child because I was on. Teenage years are so tough anyway without having to worry about where your next pad or tampon comes from.

[user1487194234]

Bump

[ReallyIam]

Signed

[Hidingtonothing]

magimedi I don't think you can beat supermarket own brands, even the economy ones are better than nothing and are really cheap. I buy the slightly better own brand ones and they're still only 70p.

[Hidingtonothing]

Signed.

[AdoraBell]

Signed.

[annhar79]

Thanks all for signing. Please share!

I saw this link on another post if you want to donate sanpro to foodbanks: www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

[Specialmeasuresofgin]

I have experience of this as an older teen sadly.

I would point out it isn't just free school meals children. I know a family who earn more than me but still under the 16.5k who qualify from free school meals because they work under 16 hours. I work just enough to get WTC so don't qualify. Their income is higher than mine.

It hasn't been a problem for us yet but I could see how it might.

I was wondering about starting a box or something at our local gp..

[annhar79]

That's a brilliant idea about starting a box at the GP.

I'm going to do the same at mine if I can, and also donate to a foodbank near home.

[Shakey15000]

I now also buy weekly and donate to the food bank. It's unbearably sad.

[annabelharrison]

Shakey, amazing you're helping by donating. I've no doubt it makes a big difference to these women.