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]

[icy121]

I'm really surprised that mooncup/diva cups etc aren't more widely used. I bought mine at 18 for a one off cost of, I think then, £30 and have never used anything else since (30 now). I see Christian Aid posters about providing sanitary towels and tampons to girls in war zones - and it's the same - once they're used they're used. Is there any way the charities can loop in with the reusable sanitary cup makers? Solve the problem long term?

[Cocklodger]

Bearfrills Everything you just said times a billion.
The UK is failing in many areas but its apparently hard to believe that someone that for eg can't afford food (Foodbank use at record heights) also can't afford 3 quid for a pack of tampons/pads.... Jesus. Goes to show that there are still people who have no clue about poverty.

I will email you OP, Although I'm not sure my input will be useful as
I'm not a school girl, but there are many times between the age of 16 and 20 (Where I was living independently and killing myself working hours that at times would be illegal now, and were then in some cases as I'm not that old) where I couldn't afford pads.
Among grating bits of soap into my sink to wash my clothes and eating only 3 tablespoons of pasta with ketchup for most meals I was also using rags,socks and even toilet tissue instead of sanpro because the nearest big Tesco was miles away, 12 to be exact, and I couldn't make the walk, No car and the bus would've cost me 1.40 that I simply didn't have.
People have been that poor, People still are that poor and its only gotten worse.
I'll shoot you an email in a bit OP It really saddens me how silenced you become when you're in poverty.
Partly because theres always one person saying ''Oh but it can't be THAT bad surely? No one is so poor they can't afford x y and z''.
Yes, they are, and sometimes they aren't even school kids.

[BluePeppers]

I wouldn't be giving money no. But vouchers? Why not?
That's how the FSM work or when you get free prescription from your chemist.

[Bearfrills]

Buthowwould you actually do it?

You have them available at the school office and let all female pupils know that they're available if needed (because there will be girls who don't need free towels but are sometimes caught short and need a towel). If a girl comes to the office to get a towel and is on FSM they can simply ask "do you need some to take home too?" and a pack can be handed over.

[FreeSpiritJen]

Signed. What a nice thing to do OP. Well done you.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Might it be worth asking the people who make mooncups to donate some?

[annabelharrison]

The government could send vouchers to the girls most in need which could be exchanged for sanpro perhaps?
Perhaps using the tampon tax cash for this is a good suggestion!
This is a worthwhile cause.
I've shared this on FB and Twitter.

[corythatwas]

I live in a large town with excellent transport. But for people living on one of the large council estates getting to a cheap shop is still at least £3 in bus fares.

Saving money by buying in bulk depends on having money to spare in the first place. Or do you suggest people should just bleed through for six months whilst saving up for their big shop?

[mynotsoperfectlife]

So sanitary towels available at school for any girls who might need them? No problem :) Doesn't have to be a policy!

[Catzpyjamas]

Signed. Well done OP.

[user1496170327]

Thank you everyone for signing! Please know that this is a huge problem for so many girls. It causes so much distress.
I've had a huge amount of support from MPs on this, and the Green Party, WEP and LibDems have included free sanitary products for girls in their General Election Manifestos.
With enough pressure, I believe the next government will pay attention!
Please keep sharing!

[drspouse]

I'm really surprised that mooncup/diva cups etc aren't more widely used. I bought mine at 18 for a one off cost of, I think then, £30

You've just answered your own question. If you haven't got the money for a loaf of bread then £30 is way, way beyond your means.

Is there any way the charities can loop in with the reusable sanitary cup makers?

In many parts of the world clean water to wash them properly would be unavailable and it would be totally unacceptable for an unmarried girl to use internal protection. Washable pads are provided by many charities such as Days for Girls however.

www.daysforgirls.org/

[LuluLovesFruitcakes]

Signed and shared.

Yes people are absolutely that poor in the U.K.

I was going to explain my personal circumstances as an example but I really can't be bothered. But yes, people absolutely can be that poor.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Would vouchers be any good if they're only accepted in shops a bus ride away?

Do they still have school nurses? Can they manage the stock and hand out as necessary to those in need?

[kscience]

In the last school I worked in (inner city, "challenging") this was a real issue for a number of girls. The school supplied basic products for a number of girls. There was always an "emergency" supply and we had a small plastic basket in each girls toilet that were kept filled and any girl could take what she needed whenever she needed it.

But then we supplied free meals for a number of pupils we identified in need (not entitled to FSM) and had shower facilities and bathing products for a number of pupils who did not get these at home. We provided free uniform for all pupils in the first year and regularly gave items of uniform to those unable to afford (for whatever reason) replacement. We also had a washing machine and dryer for pupils who needed for their uniform or home clothes and some even bought in bedding.
Some of this was down to lack of parenting skills, some down to having to chose between paying rent and paying for food/electricity.

So much for there is no poverty in the UK

[BarbaraofSeville]

Do mooncups really cost £30? That's ridiculous, they must cost almost nothing to make.

[Lancelottie]

My daughter can have a (school) day when she uses up an entire pack of towels. Even at 75p a pack, that adds up. She also maxes on paracetamol to cope with the pain and have some chance of actually learning.

Stint on towels and tampons, and you have a problem with ruined clothing instead. I'm not quite sure what planet HildaOg is on not to see that this can very quickly be a problem to the most impoverished families, and a problem specific to girls, at that.

[WorshipTheGourd]

I am 15 miles from my nearest supermarket.
Return bus fare is £10.50 (just for me, but I also have to take kids... which makes it £15.30...)
Or, I can try to run a knackered old car (endless bills...)
Or, I can use my local Co-op.
4 cans tuna: £7.50 - 89p each in Aldi)
Pack 6 apples: £3.50 - 1.50ish in Aldi)
Pack Tampax: £4.29 - own brand 1.89? in Aldi)
I include food costs as it all comes out of the same pot.

Whether it is neglect or poverty it is utterly shameful that girls are using newspaper and socks. I have signed.
Thank you for posting this thread, OP.

[rightsofwomen]

Signed. Thank you.

[Lancelottie]

Crikey, kscience. Hats off to your school, but I'm now left wondering how on earth those children manage during the holidays.

[MikeUniformMike]

You can get a pack of STs in a supermarket or wilko for about 15p.
Own brand tampons are about 70p.
Nowt wrong with them.

[GherkinSnatch]

Barbara I like that idea, although thinking back to when I was at school I think there would have been quite a high mental barrier for a lot of teenage girls to try a menstrual cup if they haven't heard of them before.

I've signed the petition, and shared it with my friends and family - well done for starting it OP.

I don't think it would be necessarily difficult to implement. In the same way that children who are entitled to FSM get given their meals - schools could keep a stock of pads and tampons and give them to girls who need them. Or vouchers could be given out that are accepted at chemists or supermarkets.

So sanitary towels available at school for any girls who might need them? No problem smile Doesn't have to be a policy! In theory, yeah. But in practise, if it's not a policy it won't happen.

[Bearfrills]

Read the thread mike, as stated a few times those prices are only relevant if you have access to the shops selling them at that price which many people living in poverty don't.

[Lancelottie]

A halfway house might be for schools to bulk-buy the 15p packs and sell at cost price, then (I've never personally seen any for sale that cheap, but I'll take your word for it that they exist, Mike).

[Lancelottie]

I know - let's ask the government for more funding per school pupil. I bet they'll be so glad to help