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]

It's often NOT parental neglect.

I don't neglect my daughter. I go without, to help her, yet I cannot make ends meet. I work 3 jobs and sometimes don't even eat.

How is a social worker going to help me????

Firstly, it is apalling that this is happening in 2017 and a shocking illustration of the consequences of poverty on young people's lives and life chances. Does anyone have experience of a school using Pupil Premium money to help with this? If it is affecting school attendance and therefore outcomes for these girls, having sanitary products sensitively available in some way would seem a reasonable use of funding for a vulnerable group.

I can easily believe this. I lived in a children's home during my teenage years and we had a monthly allowance of £2.50 given to us to buy all of our toiletries and sanitary products. This was meant to cover soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, razors, sanitary towels etc. Needless to say a lot of these basic products became luxuries and let's face it if you give a 14yr old £2.50 to go buy toiletries to last a month, it was a disaster. Make up just didn't happen, ever.
Those years were horrible.

Signed and shared on my Facebook. I believe you and the attitude of some people on this thread is horrible.
Some people on mumsnet live in a different world .
Well done op for bringing this to everyone's attention. I wish you luck with your campaign.

I'm not sure about using Pupil Premium money and how that would work. I think there are some limitations is how the funds are used.
Meadowflowers - your story choked me. I cam't imagine how tough life must've been for you.
2.50 pounds to spend on all toiletries including Sanpro is impossible.
People who question whether poverty actually exists should read your account and the others who've documented their experiences here.

There must be thousands of girls who are experiencing what you went through as a teenager.

I've also been inspired by this petition and have sent a message to all my contacts to encourage everyone I know to sign.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I will say that I'm disgusted by some comments here. Some of these people make me shudder in disbelief.

I've signed and shared on FB and Twitter. Well done OP on raising this issue, and highlighting the realities of so many of us.

I used tissue papper sometimes as a teen, tbh Id forgotten about it until now. Luckily for me I had an understanding school and mother who was doing her best.
Nice job starting this OP, I've signed.

Humbled by reading what posters have shared here.

I didn't realise this was happening here and I'm disgusted that nothing has been done so far.

Let's get the petition to 10k signatures so we get a response from the government. Good on you OP for starting this!

Signed.

Actually regardless of poverty or neglect, girls should not have to miss school due to lack of sanpro.

As a fully fledged mother of three I had a leak at work. I could cover it up, lie about the stain, sit on a scarf, eventually swap chairs. Periods can be a fucker for a grown up woman, have some mercy on teenagers, who might not have the maturity to cope with what is happening to their bodies.

I've signed too.

Girls who go through the struggle of not accessing sanpro every month don't care why. They care that they can't.

The psychological damage to these girls is often irreparable....I'm glad the majority of posters here are humane and compassionate....it's a shame some aren't.

I've met girls who have resorted to taking the pill just because it would mean that they wouldn't have a period.
Some girls are less than 13 yrs old and to think that while they are growing and their bodies changing, hormones are being released inside them, affecting their moods, their weight (in some cases) and development.
This isn't right.
I hope everyone signs this petition because it's vital that girls are helped out of this situation.

Signed and shared on Facebook.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention OP.

I've not read the whole thread, but I do have knowledge of girls whose parents won't buy sanitary protection. In my experience though, it's not usually due to poverty. Sadly, it's more often because of misogynistic cultural beliefs that a) girls don't need sanitary protection, or b) girls on their period are unclean and must be hidden away for the duration. And don't even get me started on the girls won't be virgins if they use tampons bollocks.

It's a well-meaning campaign OP, but I fear it won't reach the girls it needs to. Free, no questions asked, easily available supplies in schools and colleges would be a start.

I don't know anyone who's been denied access to Sandro because of cultural beliefs, but that's not to say it doesn't exist. Im sure it does. If so it's tragic.

But it does exist on the whole because of poverty and reading this thread is a stark reminder of how situations vary.

I think this petition would address the needs of the girls who are in dire straits - there would never be enough money for endless supplies to be provided in schools surely?

It should be for whoever needs them, I never qualified for FSM but would have benefited from this, using tissue paper is beyond grim it's just a soggy wet lump in your pants and nowhere as absorbent as pads. How to make an already horrible time even worse.

The problem is that funds are finite so I agree that this should be for girls in real need first and foremost.

What a terrible thing for girls to go through.

Signed and shared.

:( so sad, poor girls
They should subsidise moon cups for these situations. £20-£30 per child but they would be sorted for all the schooling years. The NHS could probably get it cheaper from manufacturers.

jedimum a lot of adult women won't use mooncups, let alone young teenagers. I know they're popular on mumsnet, but I suspect the majority have never heard of them. I know I hadn't until I started posting on here. It's a bit pointless suggesting them really.
It's sanitary towels and tampons that are needed. Everyone can use sanitary towels, some girls might want to use tampons, especially if they enjoy swimming.

Wtf
Bet these parents smoke or more likely. Take Kat
I've already decided that if labour win I'm giving up work and going on the dole
That's where the money is
What a load of bollocks

Signed
Well done OP

Well we are all entitled to our opinions ...but...I'm speechless! (that's a first 4me ) @ Lolalola19 and other similar views.
May I respectfully suggest you do a bit of thinking before jumping in with negative remarks. This young lass ...OP...deserves that at least.

To those making facetious comments - let's hope you never know what real poverty is. Your remarks show such a lack of compassion it astounds me.
Read this thread - it will break your heart- if you have one.

Signed and shared OP. Well done and keep going with this. You're wonderful for doing this and I'll do what I can to help circulate.

Sorry but we live in the middle of no where and nearest shop is 2 miles away but they always have at least on brand on offer. Current two packs of 16 for 2 quid.

It shows how disfuncational parts of society really are.

Nearest supermarket is 30 miles away

People here are talking about brands on offer, but let me tell you that there are months I can't afford 50p for sanitary care.
I don't smoke. I dont drink. I don't have a big TV.
Circumstances are such that I have to go hunting for lost pennies down the back of the sofa because they make a difference.
There is real poverty out there and it hurts many....just cos it hasn't touched you yet doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Somewhereover
It's the same with me. Supermarket is miles away and 3 bus rides. This costs me money. It's easier to use torn clothes some months. Yes it's disgusting.
Some people on here don't realise what reality is like for some. Count yourselves the lucky ones.

Signed.