Period poverty is very sadly on the rise in the UK.
According to research by Plan International, 1 in 10 girls between 14 and 21 have been unable to afford sanitary products. 49% have missed an entire day of school because of their period.
There is still too much stigma attached to periods and sanitary products and unfortunately, for those with limited income, they are unaffordable.
Missing out on opportunities because of a lack of sanitary products is unacceptable. In the Spring Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced Government funding for free sanitary products in all English secondary schools. This is a huge step in the right direction.
Here is the BUT!
There are many sections of girls and women in our society that fall through the gaps in new and existing schemes.
Here at the Y, we are 100% committed to providing free sanitary products to our young female residents (aged 16 to 24) to ensure that they do not miss out on any opportunities while we are helping to get them engaged with education, training and employment. We are ensuring none of our young people have to choose between essentials like food and sanitary products. We are making absolutely sure our young women never have to go without or use unsuitable, unhygienic and unhealthy alternatives. We provide all of our young women with free sanitary products for the duration of their stay.
Exactly the same stands over at The Y Support Project. The homeless women that use this service also receive sanitary products whenever they are needed.
This is not a new initiative for us; we have been doing this for a while because we passionately believe that these products should be accessible to all.
Our supporters
We couldn’t do this without the support we have received from the community of Leicester in various ways and our thanks must also go to them. Here are just a few.
De Montfort University students: We received a fabulous donation from a group of students who chose to support The Y in this way as part of one of their modules of study this year.
Christmas Shoebox donors: Christmas shoebox supporters very generously donated sanitary products and female specific shoeboxes to The Y during our December appeal.
Elisha Mukri: Elisha drummed up support and awareness amongst her friends and contacts to provide another generous donation of sanitary and hygiene products.
Want to get involved?
We’ve told how we help and what we are committed to. If you would like to help end period poverty in Leicester, please do get in touch. You can make a donation of sanitary products or you can make a monetary donation specifically for this cause. The Y houses 101 young people at any one time across our two sites and our move on houses. We also provide homeless adults through Y Support Project. Your support would mean these vulnerable girls and women will not miss out on suitable sanitary protection because it is unaffordable. To find out more or ask about getting involved, please contact [email protected] or call 0116 204 6208.
