Girls missing school because of poverty

[user1496170327]

Hello Everyone!

Thanks to everyone who suggested posting in this thread!

I'm a teenage girl who's started a campaign to help girls who can't afford sanitary products.

Some of you may have read recently that girls across the UK skip school because they can't face the shame of going to school without adequate sanitary care.

Some use socks, toilet roll and sellotape, or even newspaper. Young girls are living in such extreme poverty, and I believe this must be discussed and addressed, especially when this can harm their health.

I was absolutely horrified that this is happening in Britain and felt that something had to be done. So, I'm calling on the government to provide free sanitary provision for girls in need, as a first step. I'm writing to MPs every day and the response, so far, has been really positive. I think that this is something that can happen with enough support!

I'm really hoping that you will agree that this is so very important- that all girls should be able to access essential care and go to school with confidence and that we should not be disadvantaged because of our gender. May I ask you to add your name to my petition to the government, and if you could share on social media, that would be amazing!

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

I'm writing an article for a newspaper about period poverty in schools, and if you've been in this dreadful situation yourself, I'd really appreciate it if you could get in touch, if you're happy to!

Thank you so much for your support!! I really appreciate it, and I believe that if enough people want to change this situation, we can make it happen. Thanks again!

[email protected]

[Catzpyjamas]

I'm bumping this again as the petition still needs more signatures.

[NatalieRss]

Plus if a parent isn't buying the basics for their child, they are hardly likely to take them to the doctors

I disagree completely. If you read what some posters have said on here, some mothers do everything they can but can't afford to spend cash they don't have on sanpro, They are loving and caring mothers who can't make ends meet. I've read some of the experiences on here and it's shocking and tragic in equal measure.

I've signed and shared on FB and Twitter. Well done to you OP.

[Daddymcdadface]

Signed and shared. My sheer admiration for you

[HookersinTights]

Some parents actually CAN'T afford them! They're not all parents who're unlikely to take their children to the doctor.

Signed.

[RainbowsAndUnicorn]

I don't think wasting the GPS time on this is effective in any shape or form. Plus if a parent isn't buying the basics for their child, they are hardly likely to take them to the doctors.

If we have to intervene, then vouchers or a supply at school would be best that automatically triggers a safeguarding referral. Unless you treat the cause, it's an expensive sticking plaster at best.

[theresazanadu]

I don't think going to the GP is going to work in practice, but there does need to be some solution in place. Too many girls are struggling and its pathetic that nothing's been done about this so far.
Like others have said, some of these girls we are talking about here are not even in their teens. To be left to cope without sanpro and all the stress that comes with it is just horrendous.

[mynotsoperfectlife]

I just don't see it as workable personally. Lovely idea but not possible in practice.

[Orpingt0nMum]

If the girls most in need could be identified (e.g. FSM) then vouchers sent in the post to the girls would be the most effective way, I think.

No worries in that case about girls from better off families walking away with a dozen, leaving those in need without.
Wouldn't that work?

[mynotsoperfectlife]

A basket of sanitary towels would just be chucked around, put under the sink, shoved in other girls' bags ...

[Kpo58]

I think having a basket of sanpro in the school toilets is the best idea.

Many schools don't have school nurses and the girls may be too embarrassed to ask the teachers.

I don't think that is a good idea having to go to the GP as there is a good chance that you can't get an appointment and you will be blocking appointments for those who are actually I'll.

I'm not sure how well going to a pharmacist will be as there may not be one near where people live.

[L1vingInTheClouds]

WallToWallBastards I don't know how you get through this every month - especially when you can't predict how many pads you need given the type of bleeding you have. Have you spoken to your GP about potential help with buying them? I don't know about your personal circumstances, but there may be something available?

[MeredithQuestions]

moyesp I never knew that was possible. That would really give girls a way out for some time at least. It would have to led by the parents, as some girls (read this on this thread too) don't even dare ask parents for sanpro if they know don't have the money.
But it's important for girs to know that this is possible.
Still think one of the best ways to fund this would be through tampon tax refund.

[moyesp]

Conferred with Colleagues, ex workmates and friends over this issue. Commendable idea from the teenager. Many teachers from depravity schools said they have installed machines in some schools in their area because of this. Others suggested that these ;girls,; seek out their headteacher/vice principle as they usually have a supply somewhere in case of emergencies. Trouble is in a school trying to track them down. It can be downright embarrassing. Friend came up with the best answer though. If child parent is on benefits of any kind and they are not getting them (waiting for monies or suspended for some reason). GO TO THE DOCTORS/CLINIANS NURSE. THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A PRESCRIPTION FOR THREE MONTHS SUPPLY. they will do it under the primary care scheme. Like they provide adult diapers for OAPs. Hope this helps. Commendable idea but lobbying takes time. the above may help in the meantime.

[Want2bSupermum]

Early to mid 90s in north wales. I got work experience at a GP who dispensed and we had them in the cupboard. The nurse would come in and take a pack to give to a young girl.

Somewhere along the line we lost our humanity.

[WhistlesWhiner]

Signed.
I didn't know this was going on here in our developed nation - looks like nothing's changed in years. Geez.

[LycheeBellini]

WalltoWall Given your endometriosis couldn't you get help from the GP? You must get through more pads than most women. I really think help should be available for you in the system.

[FloellaDe]

Fantastic to give sanpro donations. I've decided to find a local food bank to donate to near me.

A really inspiring thread - signed.

[WallToWallBastards]

StreetCars it was definitely unpleasant at school, especially when I felt like I had to ration my pads, and all the horrible things that come along with that like PE whilst leaking, constant BV without knowing that you're not just dirty. It may well be 70p for 14 tesco ones (usually £1+ at the express stores if that's all you have near you) but when they have to be changed hourly or half hourly some days it soon racks up. When I get paid, after paying my rent, I trawl shops for the best offers and bulk buy as many as I can carry in the hope I don't have to run out to the corner shop with my last £4 in the middle of the night again.

[Fabulousdahlink]

We discussed this at my local womens group last night. We agreed to make a donation to our local foodbank who already provide toiletries as part of their care packages. We can all make a difference locally somehow.

[Mummym2005]

Stolethisusernsme, you should be very proud of your mum and yourself foryour efforts whilst growing up.your mum obviously loved you very much to work so hard,as did my parents.we didnt have much,or not by todays standards anyway,but we were always adequately fed and clothed and i know mum would have been horrified if any of us six girls had had to go without san. Pro.i dont believe anyone is judging true poverty ,just people who get their priorities wrong.do you think its okay to spend a hundred pounds a month on sky tv,to smoke or have a xocial life if it means that your children go without? Believe me it does happen ,and it happens an awful lot where i live! These things are not necessities food ,clothes and feminine hygeine are!
A

[StreetCarsTrailblaizer]

WalltoWall.

£30 per month! That's incredible. Those people here who've said it only costs 50p from supermarkets etc need to realise that anomaly cases like yours exist. You deserve extra help from the government because through no fault of yours you face a struggle lasting weeks. I admire you for your resolve.

Signed and shared.

[WallToWallBastards]

I'm a student and I have endometriosis and polycystic ovaries, buying the cheapest sanitary towels can still cost me in excess of £30 a month, on top of the cost of needing to wash bedding (including pillowcases, yes it can be that heavy), mattresses, towels, clothes etc. Last year I came to mumsnet asking how I could stretch £20 over a month and some absolutely beautiful mumsnetters sent me toiletries, pads, a moon cup and washable pads. The mooncup was a lifesaver at the time when I was absolutely on my arse but I no longer use it if I don't have to because as much as I love the idea of them, they're definitely not always practical. I persevered but when I was rationing utilities it was difficult trying to wash the pads and sanitise the cup, and once I'd taken it out I could not get it back in because it was so painful. When I'm on week 15 of waking up in a pool of blood that's spread up my back to the pillows and down the sides of the sheets, and I'm having to take money from my food budget or bus money for the privilege of not leaving a trail behind me, it's fucking difficult.

Signed so fast my keys are smoking.

[MummyDeares7]

Absolutely, impossible to abstain from menstruation. But you'd never think that would you, when sanpro are treated like luxury products.

This is so riduculous. - girls can't be missing school like this because they are girls!!!!

[SailAwayWithMeHoney]

the mooncup proposal has been discussed many times on this thread already.

Not everyone can use a mooncup.

Young girls may not feel comfortable with a mooncup.

Mooncups need to be washed properly in warm water, of which some girls may not have adequate access to.

It doesn't sit right with me that the money is there to provide teens and young people with free condoms, but apparently not to provide sanitary towels and/or tampons to girls and teenagers. Sex is far easier to abstain from than menstruation.

[IStoleThisUsername]

s00thsayer apart from dad dying when I was 8 we had a happy childhood. We didn't have everything but there were only a handful of kids that did. It's not until looking back that I realise how hard it must have been for mum having 4 daughters all a year apart in age. I did the wrapping stolen tissue around my drawers trick but it wasn't because mum was neglectful - it was because I knew she didn't have 2 pennies to rub together half the time. I remember going to the pawn shop with her so she could pawn her wedding and engagement ring and she cried on the bus home. It's horrible to think that things like this are still going on today. I'm by no means well off but I help where I can, like food banks, and I would never ever look down on anyone's be so sanctimonious as some on this thread that just bundle everyone into the scrounger category without believing there's some bloody difficult circumstances going on that are in most cases out of the control of the person going through it.