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]

I've signed.

Ignore the ignorant.

I'm in my 50's and this is very important to me. I know what this feels like, I used to borrow from friends or cut up old clothes, wash and reuse. I would often bleed over my clothes.

To think this is going on now is shocking.

Signed

Poverty exists and in most cases no one can be blamed.
It's not the girls fault and they need a way out.

Signed and shared on Facebook
thanks OP

Could be information given in PSHE lessons in schools perhaps... Does anyone know if foodbank do actually take them? I think I no longer have use for them, hate waste and don't really want to take them to a charity shop.

When I was a child, back in the 70s, I used to use toilet paper, which i'd take from public toilets. Now i've got enough money thankfully to makes sure my daughter doesn't go through the same.
It is damaging and we need to help

Signed.

Yes kastiekastie food banks do take them. THey welcome them in fact.
good idea about PSHE covering this. it would be a good opportunity for girls to speak up if they are facing this crisis.

Signed.

This is very much needed as I have met girls who aren't given sanpro by parents and it's massively damaging I agree

Regardless of the reason, they need help.
Agree they are victims here. This used to happen to me but luckily I'm ok now. I survived the trauma but many don't.

Signed
It's a touching thread. Well done.
Flick

Well done OP on starting this post.
It's worthwhile and hopefully we will get a response from the government.
Really sad to read what people have written here though - a sad reflection of the state of society.

Should add that I've signed.

I'll send it to my work colleagues and school mums. I'm sure you'll get a lot of signs from mums.

Heartbreaking for mums who can't afford to give money to their daughters.

I've had some conversations with colleagues about this at work. Most of them are dumbstruck when they hear this is happening here.
I met a girl recently who told me that she used to have to wake up at night as she would bleed over her bed unless she lay in a particular position. She was usually too tired to pay attention in class the next day.
How can we ignore this?
We are living in a civilised society , this shouldn't be happening.
I've signed and passed around the office.

I've signed this.

I never knew this was happening here. It's disgusting that nothing has been done.

Guys, should we try and get this some publicity somewhere else?

I've written to my MP but I think it deserves more exposure to get noticed.

Any ideas?

Is it something MN would promote? Not sure how to find out?
Definitely agree that it's a brilliant initiative. Signed OP. Very well done.

Signed it.

Very well done OP

Signed.

There are many shocking stories here. I work in healthcare and I listen to a lot of mothers who tell me similar things.
What is disturbing is that these girls who miss school find themselves at a real disadvantage for life. They come from challenging backgrounds, many of them, often in famililies where they're left to their own devices. This is grossly unfair but it's completely wrong
for us to then say that since the issue is with the parent who leave their daughters to literally fend for themselves, the girls should not be helped. What sort of society do we live in if we adopt that attitude?Not one I'm proud to live in that's for sure.
Trust me, most of these parents would have it any other way. They are really lost.

This campaign is very much needed so good on everyone for signing.

I don't disagree that it can be down to parental neglect. But in failiing to address this issue of girls missing school because they can't afford sanitary products, then in my opinion, that's neglect too.

I think by all accounts we are likely to see another Conservative government. Poverty isn't going to be their key issue - the JAMs should come into that bracket, but many of those in poverty aren't even just about managing. I work for Social Housing and it's heartwrenching to see how some families live.
We can blame the parents, we can blame the system. But how about we try and get these girls the help first and foremost.

Signed

I'm very keen that something is done about this.

I've signed this.

My schoolfriend (I'm in my twenties now, so this didn't happen too long ago) used to borrow pads from me. Her single parent mum was doing her best, but there were times when there wouldn't be food on the table at dinner and she would have to eat at mine. She would only ever ask me. If i wasn't around, she would use gloves which she would stuff with toilet roll and cover will more toilet roll. Horrendous.

So it saddens me no end when people questions parenting of these girls. Her situation was nothing to do with parental neglect, i won't go into why, but her mum was in that situation through no fault of hers.

Go on everyone. Sign this and share it. It could be the change many girls are yearning for.

I've signed this.
Yes this exists. I know first hand.

What about giving out mooncups instead of pads/tampons?

Not all teen girls can use them, and people in water poverty need something that doesn't need washing.

My friend sent me this link and I found it on mumnet too. I wanted to tell you all that real poverty, the kind you read about does exist.
It destroys and damages families. I won't say how here but OP i'll write to you personally.
But please don't make assumptions about neglect and the like. I know it exists but there are mums who do everything, sacrifice everything and still can't afford the £1 per pack of pads.

I've signed and I've posted on Facebook.

DJBaggySmalls

I was going to add that too - using mooncups means you need to be careful about hygiene. Some girls are too young to handle these responsibly.