Cara-Louise Scott
It is a fact now that we are living in a cost-of-living crisis. Countless families and young people are struggling to afford essentials, such as food and rent. From fuel costs, to gas and electricity bills, and food, everything is rising in price. Considering that this is unparalleled by an increase on paychecks, it is no surprise that we are living in a financial dilemma.
THE PROBLEM OF ACCESSING PERIOD PRODUCTS
While the new Prime Minister vouches to make the cost-of-living crisis one of her major priorities, one of the issues that is often under-looked at is the period poverty crisis. This is beginning to rise in potential association with increasing prices.
“I do not believe enough is being done by the UK government to make all period products free everywhere”
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints, especially for low-income women and those in poverty and homelessness. It has been an ongoing issue for years, yet I do not believe enough is being done by the UK government to make all period products free everywhere. A study found that during the pandemic, over a million girls aged 14-21 struggled to access period products. Many were forced to cut back on other essential items in order to purchase sanitary items.
Sanitary products are something that most girls and women need on a monthly basis, but it is something that many struggle to gain access to. It is particularly harder for those who suffer from health issues in relation to periods and those who bleed heavily. They will need more sanitary products which means they will be spending more money than they can potentially afford to.
WHAT’S ALREADY IN PLACE?
A recent report by Girlguiding has revealed that almost a third of girls and young women in the UK cannot access free period products at their schools. Despite the period products scheme being in place since it was introduced in England in 2020, providing free period products for 16-19-year-olds who need them to access education. Over 32% said that they could not access free sanitary products at their schools because they were unavailable.
“22% of British women and girls have said that they have relied on free period products from work, school, food banks or other charity”
This is something I resonate with, having found that it can sometimes be hard to find any free period products in some of my university bathrooms. 22% of British women and girls have said that they have relied on free period products from work, school, food banks or other charities in the past year. Yet, with many places not having products available, where does this leave them?
MAKING SACRIFICES
Due to inflation and supply chain issues, period products are rising in price alongside bills and food prices rocketing. This implies that some people might have to consider what period products they use, buying cheaper alternatives that may not be the best quality, and choosing cheap over sustainable. The charity WaterAid found that one in five people cope with rising prices by using makeshift materials, such as loo roll or sponges. One in four women admitted to wearing period products for longer than they should, risking their health. 30% of women have had to choose cheaper brands to cut costs.
“The charity expects this increase in demand to rise along with the rising costs of everything else”
Bloody Good Period, a charity that provides period products to those who can’t afford them, found that their products had a 78% increase in demand during the first 3 months of 2022, compared to the same period in 2020, rising from 7,452 packs of period products to 13,284.
The charity expects this increase in demand to rise along with the rising costs of everything else. There has also been a decrease in individual donations and the smaller community grants they receive, due to the cost of living crisis.
SCOTLAND’S NEW INITIATIVE
Recently, Scotland announced that all period products would be free to anyone. They are the first nation in the world to do this. England has not decided to follow just yet.
In Scotland, there is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to ‘anyone who needs them.’ Products will be distributed through councils and education providers as ‘Period Products Act’ comes into force. It is up to the 32 councils in Scotland to decide what practical arrangements are put in place, but they must give anyone access to different types of period products ‘reasonably easily’ and with ‘reasonable dignity’, and they do not need to justify why they need them. This is a big step in the right direction for Scotland and we can only hope that England are soon to follow.
MY FINDINGS
I decided to ask University of Birmingham students on Fab N Fresh what they thought about this issue. When I asked ‘Do you think period products everywhere (supermarket/corner shop/pharmacies) should be free?’, out of 30 people, 90% said ‘yes’ and 10% said ‘no.’ This shows that the majority believes period products should be freely accessible across all institutions.
When asked, ‘Have the rising costs of living affected how often you buy period products and how much you buy of them?’, out of the 45 people, 14% said ‘yes’, but 86% said ‘no’. While it shows that amongst a select few students, the rising prices have not affected their buying of period products, it is still surprising to see that 6 people have felt affected by this.
“At the very least, those who are from low-income households should be able to access these products for free when they need to”
I think more products should be made free everywhere. Not just in schools and public toilets, but in supermarkets and pharmacies too. At the very least, those who are from low-income households should be able to access these products for free when they need to.
If the government is going to help tackle the cost of living crisis, they should be considering how they can make a difference in all essential areas. This includes girls’ and women’s access to period products which is essential to their health.
Featured image courtesy of Natracare on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.
Cara-Louise Scott
I am a waitress and writer currently living in London! Graduated last year from the University of Birmingham with a first-class BA English and Creative Writing degree. I am an aspiring young journalist with a love for writing anything related to current affairs, opinion, mental health, food and drink, and travel!