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]

[mayoli]

Signed.

When you live in poverty the last thing you want to do is up your electricity levels by using hot water to wash pads. It's not cheaper in the long run for people who have issues paying their bills already.

[Basecamp21]

I know there are people who struggle to find the money to cover basics like this....I also know there are some very neglectful parents....but does it matter.

The most vulnerable children in our society are those whose parents are letting them down. It seems some people on here are quite happy to let the rest of society let them down as well. As far as i am concerned I pay taxes so these children are supported.

Those who are saying free protection should not be available should be ashamed of themselves.

[Bearfrills]

Go to Superdrug online. Register for their health and beauty points card which is free. That card then qualifies you for free standard delivery on online orders and plenty of offers just for having the card.

Except you need internet access as well as a device to access it on and also a debit card. I suppose they could access the internet at the library provided the local one hasn't been closed down or doesn't have broken computers that they can't afford to fix due to budget cuts.

[Fidoandacupoftea]

Done and thank you OP

[Bearfrills]

Surely the schools most kids attend are within walking distance of supermarkets. If not, aren't those kids entitled to a bus pass, as how else would they get to school?

We have four first schools, two middle schools and a high school all within walking distance yet the nearest big supermarket (Aldi, Tesco, Asda, etc) and nearest Boots/Wilko/Superdrug are still a £6 bus ride away.

[myusernameisgeneric]

If I'm paying a bastard tampon tax THIS is where it needs to go.

Also education about reusable sanitary protection. These are more Expensive up front which can be a barrier but once bought a mooncup For instance can be kept sterile and clean simply with access to water and a kettle. I know it's not for everyone but if even a small percentage were provided with these things and found they got on with them it could alleviate a very real Worry.

[Birdsgottaf1y]

""Was the nineties a golden era of no poor kid""

A lot of the new community care Social Care acts came in, as did Every Child Matters and new child legalisation.

It was a new thing, everyone went through the training, funding was around, so things got better.

I don't agree with the petition, because this should be for all girls, not those just on FSMs.

My DD one year didn't get FSM because my final tax credit award hadn't been sent through. I wasn't getting it, either.

But you can be just above the threashold, but after outgoings have less money than someone getting benefits.

This should come under the Pastoral Care for girls.

[Bearfrills]

and those of you who have no money for essentials on here seem to have internet access constantly but a pack of pads is too much.

I have plenty of money for essentials thanks, I've been very fortunate to have never had to live in poverty but having privilege doesn't mean I can't empathise with those who don't.

[MacarenaFerreiro]

Those who are saying free protection should not be available should be ashamed of themselves.

Totally disagree. Also disagree that this is all the current government's fault.

As someone up thread said, dishing out freebies achieves very little. If you're spending (for example) £10 million a year on sanpro for low income families, that equates to salaries for 500 healthcare workers or support workers on £20k a year. Now what would be more effective - funding 500 new support people to target and work intensively with families who are really struggling for whatever reason to try to break the cycle and improve their situation forever, or do nothing to address the underlying social issues and just bung everyone a free box of Tampax?

[Bearfrills]

sadly not all parents prioritise their children

Well, quite and for the few that don't, why should the children be punished for the mistakes of the parents?

[Toysaurus]

Try having no benefits coming in/suspended for three months. There's your poverty. It's real. It happens. It's not always parental neglect.

[MorrisZapp]

The thread title states that it's because of poverty. That's what gets people's backs up. I don't grudge the extra social spending to ensure it doesn't happen, it's the framing it as a political issue I disagree with.

[Raspberriesaretheonlyfruit]

Macaren- well in my experience vulnerable parents have lots and lots of support and intervention. Lots of it involves discussions and meetings and very little practical help.

What do you do if a family is just, well, poor? Is it worth sending someone on £15 an hour round or just easier to provide a £1 box of tampons.

[MacarenaFerreiro]

It's not a political issue. It's a useless parent issue. Useless parents have been around since the year dot, whatever the colour of government.

[user1486062886]

Not making light of the situation, after visiting India, we don't know what real poverty is, in this country.

[Beatrusell]

When I was at school, my best friend really struggled financially. She wouldn't ask her mum for money for sanpro because she knew there wasn't enough money for food. I would give her sanpro when I could but she would stay off school some months.
I remember her leaking through her uniform and the boys laughing at her. My heart broke.
Well done OP for starting this.
I've signed and shared on social media.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

I've signed. Whether it's bad parenting or genuine hardship, girls should not be missing school because of something that is beyond their control.

[LuluLovesFruitcakes]

Fuck it. When I was at school our sexual health education taught us how to use a condom and nothing more. Certainly never taught us about periods.
At 25 I had to explain to my 23yo friend she has three holes down there and she didn't pee from her vagina. I still don't know if you can use a mooncup whilst being a virgin, and I wouldn't have the first clue even now how to use a mooncup.

As a 16 year old (9 years ago now!) very few of us girls had adequate access to sanpro, much less the support or knowledge how to use most of it. And there was so much shame around having a period. So many of us would disappear halfway through the day because we'd bled through whatever sanpro we had.

It was always easier to get free condoms than adequate sanpro. Which is categorically wrong imo. It's far easier to abstain from sex than to not have a period

I still spend most of the week in the house when AF comes, because sanpro is bloody expensive and for the price of a pack of pads ( about £2. the super cheap ones bring me out in a rash. And a rashy foof is awful) I could buy my son a 4pint of milk, a loaf of bread and a pack of ham. It makes me bloody glad he's a boy so I won't have to worry about affording sanpro x2 when I can barely afford it X1.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Signed. We're paying a lot of tax cumulatively for sanitary products. Why shouldn't it be used to help girls/women who need that help?

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I do wish that the use of the mooncup could be promoted to women in poverty , its the best solution in so many ways

I have signed, but agree this is about poor /neglectful parenting in addition to poverty issues, taking a poltical-blame tone is not really helpful

[Solo]

Mooncup for under £14

www.express-supplements.co.uk/family-health/women/feminine-hygiene/more/mooncup-size-b?gclid=CPuT9N2OmtQCFQaVGwod8WkOwQ

[Rubies12345]

OP your parents should buy you them out of child tax credits, what else are they spending on them

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Girls/women should have the CHOICE of sanitary protection, not be pushed into one method or another.

[Solo]

And not being entitled to FSM doesn't necessarily mean you don't need them.

[user1496170327]

I'll be doing everything I can to make sure the next government addresses this.

When I read some of the heartbreaking stories on here, it makes me more determined to keep fighting.

If we all make a noise about period poverty, I'm certain we can change the status quo and help these girls! Please keep signing and sharing and tell your MP on social media that they need to take action!