Period Poverty

[TheDevil]

Every school and college can now get free period products

Movements for women's sanitary.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51167487

[emmie]

this was on the news yesterday. Not before time, this shouldn't stop girls from going to school.

[Mamyalynne]

Good news.

[emmie]

which is what was supposedly happening, disgraceful.
I believe Scotland already had this in place, why it's taken so long here in England is anyone's guess.

[TheDevil]

It's an odd one. I imagine if I was a female who couldn't afford sanitary products, then I would resort to having to ask my parents for them. If they couldn't afford them, then I would assume they were either, very poor or had awful spending habits.

The issue with this scheme, is that the schools get a budget, and they can use that however they see fit. They can spend the whole budget on tampons, or they could spend half of it on pads half of it on tampons or they may not spend the entire budget and may try diddle some money into other aspects of school life.

I think instead of a budget, schools should just get supplies.

[ummmm]

It's brilliant news. Sanitary wear isn't cheap if you're on a very tight budget.

I also think razors should be supplied.

[ummmm]

Razors for boys, not girls.

[TheDevil]

Sanitary products are an essential. Razors aren't essential for either gender.

[Mamyalynne]

That rather depends on the School's policy on facial hair TD,

[emmie]

some girls start periods and don't tell their parents seemingly because of embarrassment
So you can see how having them supplied by the school is a very good idea.

[TheDevil]

I guess so Mamy.

I personally think any school implementing hair restrictions is dated. It has nothing to do with education but instead, morphing character to comply to school ideologies. This ruins kids individuality and creativity.

[Mamyalynne]

I' have had running battles with schools re hairstyles for decades but let's stick with the good news topic.

[TonyV]

I don't know the rules, but surely if on a low income, families can get sanitary products FOC.

[TheDevil]

I don't think that is possible Tony, sanity products should be tax free, and they're not.

I don't think there is a way for women to get free sanity products and not every woman believes in free bleeding. In fact, most do not.

[Lie-in King]

Excellent news, about time.

[Mamyalynne]

They are now free in NHS Hospitals since last summer.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/03/the-nhs-in-england-will-offer-free-tampons-and-other-sanitary-products-to-every-hospital-patient-who-needs-them-simon-stevens-announced-today/

[Cloverjo]

No, TonyV. They don’t.

[TheDevil]

But only for hospital patients.

Women should be able to go somewhere and get them for free.

I understand that condoms benefit both men and women, and protect both men and women from disease, infection and pregnancy during intercourse but they are free of charge, and are surely just as expensive to make?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, for patients.

Not available ordinarily.

[DarceyK123]

I always asked my Mum for sanitary products when i was school age. I didnt know anyone who's Mum or older sister didn't supply them for my friends.

The same now with my grand daughter.

So this so called period poverty shocked me.
Its hard to believe there are parents out there who do not provide these essential items, its very sad, and basically bad parenting.

[TheDevil]

"Its hard to believe there are parents out there who do not provide these essential items"

Yes, that is the crux of the issue.

Imagine allowing your daughter to stay home from school because she is menstruating and doesn't have appropriate sanitary products, like that gives off a good image and is a good message to send.
2. Imagine not being able to provide critical sanitary products for your daughter, and not having the stomach to get help acquiring some either from female friends and family or even from places like 'food' banks.