According to common knowledge and current media coverage, period and hygiene poverty are endemic in developing countries. But did you know that ‘1 in 10 girls in the UK have been unable to afford sanitary products’? As if the battle with negative stigmas attached to periods wasn’t enough for women and menstruators, Covid-19 and the pandemic have added an extra burden. Feelings of discomfort and shame were and still are exacerbated, with the challenge of reaching out for help and talking about the topic now being even more difficult due to reduced access.
Pre-pandemic, the government announced a plan to enable free period products within schools. Their aim being ‘to tackle the issue of stigma and education’. However, less than a year later, this plan was hindered, and its progress reversed due to the lock down and closing of facilities. Period problems are now being emphasised, and privacy and reassurance disregarded. Findings by Williams et al, 2022, presented in The Economic Observatory, indicated that “85% of 240 people experienced difficulties getting period products during lock down. 30% regarded this challenge was due financial problems, including losing their jobs or being furloughed“. Furthermore, access to products through support organisations also presented to be difficult, as 10% of people were not able to get the supplies they usually accessed. The coronavirus pandemic has had worrying financial implications upon the accessibility and affordability of period products…and put women’s health on the line!
Research from Plan international UK expressed that “27% of girls overused a sanitary product as they couldn’t afford a fresh one“. The coronavirus pandemic not only increased the lack of access but also the lack of education about women’s health. Additionally, a study by Birmingham city University, explained that the lock downs resulted in reduced “overall access to menstrual products“. However, it also reduced “the provision of menstrual health education and access to adequate menstrual health care“, as “75% of women expressed they needed support or advice about their menstrual cycle during lock down, with changes to cycle regularity and/or bleeding being the main reasons“.
Ironically and worryingly in the midst of a pandemic, female health was not (and still is not!) prioritised, negatively impacting women’s physical well being and health, putting them at further risk.
However, as the pandemic’s restrictions reduced, the current cost-of-living crisis took its place, putting further pressure upon menstruators, increasing the challenges of accessible period products. The Hygiene Bank, is a UK based charity working to reduce hygiene poverty. Their hygiene poverty 2022 research report highlighted that period hygiene unfortunately knows no barriers as all ages and backgrounds are impacted by this issue, but in particular those who are younger and from ethnic backgrounds, should be supported more. Furthermore, in January 2021, the ‘tampon tax’ was cancelled, in recognition of period products being deemed necessary items. But, according to The Economics Observatory, the cost-of-living crisis and inflation has caused the products to “almost double the original price,” colliding and counteracting any previous attempts to progress. They expressed that “any gains made […] have been wiped out“. This could regard not only financial change, but also attitudinal change.
Robert Guice, Chief Executive at Citron Hygiene, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is contributing to an increased demand for free and accessible period products, with more and more women experiencing the effects of period poverty.
Therefore, menstruators are outnumbered in this conflict by the impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. There is desperation for the government to aid in the accessibility of period products, but also for an increase in education around the topic, in order to reduce the stigma around periods. However, the hard work charities are doing in order to bridge the gap, should be recognised and commended. By empowering people who have periods, it will enable them to overcome the stigma and be able to purchase products if they are able to, but also to find the courage to speak out when they need help.
Are you a charity or a food bank and would like to share your work, experience and opinion about period poverty? Get in touch with us at info@wempower.co
We are here to share your stories, because together we empower women!
