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Original poster

Sanitary products in library

217 replies

dogsdinnerlady · 15/03/2019 12:55

On the back of the loo door in my library this morning is a poster offering free sanitary products for anyone who needs them. Just ask at the desk, it says. Really? Who is going to do that? I see schools are going to provide free pads and tampons for all pupils soon. With libraries closing to save money and schools having to ask parents to pay for books, it seems the budget can accommodate free sanitary products for millions of women.
I am probably in the minority in thinking this is taking the welfare state too far.

OP posts:
luckylavender · 15/03/2019 20:10

Unbelievable attitude OP. Patronising in the extreme.

PhilomenaButterfly · 15/03/2019 20:12

@fudgesmummy

LudoFriend · 15/03/2019 20:13

So is it that you think those in poverty should need to prove it before being given access to free tampons/pads? Or is it that you think those who don't need them will take advantage of the situation and save themselves the money?

I'd rather pay for someone who doesn't need it to have a free pad/tampon than those that do need it have to go without or be embarrassed before being donated one.

Original poster
dogsdinnerlady · 15/03/2019 20:15

Ludo.. yes both.

OP posts:
Theknacktoflying · 15/03/2019 20:22

I get the feeling you are pro the extra bedroom tax, the UC and ensure every benefit has to be means-tested ..

The feckless, stupid poor with Sky tv packages and free sanpro ...

LudoFriend · 15/03/2019 20:23

How do you expect someone to prove they're homeless? I understand those on benefits could prove that, but that doesn't always mean poverty. Equally not all those who aren't on benefits can afford to pay for products. There is no fair system that could be set up to ensure all those that need them could have access.

Given that it is charity based, and obviously I can't speak for all those that have donated, but again:
I'd rather pay for someone who doesn't need it to have a free pad/tampon than those that do need it have to go without or be embarrassed before being donated one.

Alsohuman · 15/03/2019 20:25

Why the fuck would you put yourself through the embarrassment of availing yourself of free sanpro if you could go into Boots and buy it? Yes, you’re vvvvvvv unreasonable, OP.

CheshireChat · 15/03/2019 20:46

I always see on here that people should cut back and not have Sky etc. What about being stuck in a contract?

rosenylund · 15/03/2019 20:48

It's nothing like free tv licences - pensioners don't spend a week or more every month dropping teles out their bits do they.

BunsOfAnarchy · 15/03/2019 20:53

Wow.

I really, truly hope you are NEVER in position where you have to not only suffer any kind of poverty but then have to PROVE it just to get sanitary protection.

Gosh OP, just have a heart.

NotACleverName · 15/03/2019 20:54

Sanpro isn't in any way comparable to free TV licences. Owning a television is a choice, menstruation isn't.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 15/03/2019 20:57

schools having to ask parents to pay for books, it seems the budget can accommodate free sanitary products for millions of women.

We have a “Red Box” at school. It is filled with donations. Donations sent to “The red box project” plus some if us staff occasionally add to it in the same way that we might pop a packet of towels or tampons into the food bank box. Nothing comes from the school budget.

QueenOfIce · 15/03/2019 21:08

Fuck sake! These types of posts make me so angry. Is it so hard to believe that there are women who are so poor that they cannot afford sanitary protection? Periods are a fact of life and protection should be freely available to anyone who cannot afford to buy them. It disgusts me that some still think it's not necessary that everyone can afford towels or tampons because come on the pound shop sell them and EVERYONE has a spare pound.

Open your eyes op, look around you and you'll discover that there are some who are unable to afford to feed their kids let alone buy sanitary protection.

makingmammaries · 15/03/2019 21:38

Maybe some people really don’t have a pound. Presumably they go somewhere to get food in that case. So why can’t they also get sanitary towels there and carry a spare in their bag like the rest of the female population? I find free sanpro everywhere a teeny bit infantilising.

Etino · 15/03/2019 21:41

@dogsdinnerlady the sanpro is donated. I’m really struggling to see your objection.

Etino · 15/03/2019 21:46

Where I live is the very opposite of a deprived food or essentials desert- zone 2 London. But it’s still a bus ride to the nearest pound shop. In an emergency or if my dds needed towels they’d have to pay £3 for a pack of scented monstrosities

I think it’s wonderful if they become freely available in loos, like loo paper.

Ontheboardwalk · 15/03/2019 21:52

dogsdinnerlady thanks for such a wonderful thought provoking post.

You’ve made me realise how far away from reality people like you really are. Millions of women getting free Sanpro from the library every month. I bet they are queuing round the block.

On a serious note your post has made me think about period poverty. Thanks to Cerelle I’ve not bled for years but used to spend loads each month coping with my bleed.

I’m going to start shopping again for Sanpro and find a library or somewhere I can donate them. I might even donate under the name dogsdinnerlady

QueenOfIce · 15/03/2019 21:54

I imagine makingmammaries that if you were in a position whereby you needed sanitary protection you'd be very grateful they were readily available in all sorts of places. Food banks do provide but aren't open everyday all day.

Women lacking understanding of other women who might need help. Nice. Do you think it's fun for anyone who has to ask for help because they are unable to afford a necessity such as sanitary protection? Your lack of empathy is astounding.

chocolatebuttonsandcheese · 15/03/2019 21:56

I was once so skint I had to cut my sons nappy up to make my own sanitary towel. I would have asked at the library if I knew they offered the service.

anickelstory · 15/03/2019 22:00

I'm not a fan of having to ask. That's just going to put genuine people off.
Having free sanitary products is a great idea, and allmunicipal buildings should do that.

DoomOnTheBroom · 15/03/2019 22:08

Having free sanitary products is a great idea, and allmunicipal buildings should do that.

I agree with this, and it should be available for all women.

Needing the loo is not optional, it's a biological function that happens whether you like it or not. All toilets for public/customer/staff use provide toilet paper in recognition of the fact that people will need to wee and/or shit and toilet paper is a necessary hygiene measure.

Sanitary protection is also a necessary hygiene measure and should also be provided for free.

OwlBeThere · 15/03/2019 22:14

When I was a young, homeless 15 year old, who regularly either made do with toilet roll, or the amazing nurse at my school would help me out when she found out my circumstances, the idea that i could just get sanitary protection from the library would have made me the happiest person ever. until you've lived it, you've no clue on how hard and embarassing it is when you're flow is super heavy but you either feed yourself or buy pads. its miserable.

i'm choosing to think you made this thread out of ignorance rather than meanness. be glad you've never been that girl.

EstrellaDamn · 15/03/2019 22:21

OP you just sound a bit dense.

You think people should provide a bank statement before taking a tampon that's probably cost about 3p?

Very accessible. Brilliant idea.

OwlBeThere · 15/03/2019 22:22

@Babdoc, yeah, sorry my 15 year old self who was living out of a back pack sleeping wherever i could didn't hav the wherewithall to make my own sanitary products in between school, a full time job and you know, being homeless.....

TrentBridge · 15/03/2019 22:29

Well I'd like to thank the OP for her insensitive and goady post as it meant @PhilomenaButterfly posted the link to the Red Box Project which I will be signing up to contribute to.