NO BAD BLOOD?
BY JODIE THOMAS
Periods…
Still to this day, periods are very much a taboo subject; something we might whisper to our friends about, but never discuss openly in a public forum. Embarrassed, in pain, ashamed. That was what it was like for me, when I was growing up.
In an article published by the BBC it stated that, in the UK, 1 in 10 young women (aged 14-21) are unable to afford period products. A staggering 49% of girls have missed an entire day of school because of their period. (Free sanitary products promised for schools, 2020) This is shocking, but do not despair, this blog aims to highlight all the amazing work being done to help create a future without period poverty.
Imagine not having access to sanitary products: such a necessity yet such a luxury for some.
#FreePeriods
Launched in April 2017 by Amika George, a young British teenager, the movement ‘Free Period’ called on the UK government to provide free menstrual products to all children who need them. Through talks, meetings, protests and many articles ‘Free Periods’ fight for the fact that every child has a right to their education, and that periods should never, ever be a barrier. Through the provision of free sanitary products and proper education, for both students and teachers, this can become a reality.
The protest against period poverty has been backed by many, most notably by the community of activists that come together to demand action for many causes; The Pink Protest (https://www.instagram.com/pinkprotest/) but in doing so they want to reinvent activism, educate the young that the fight for change can be fun, full of art and creativity. The free Periods campaign (https://www.instagram.com/freeperiods/) also works alongside the red box project ( https://www.instagram.com/theredboxprojectuk/) , a community based, non profit organisation, who have the same goal of free accessible period products for all.
“We have never expected young people to pack their own toilet roll or soap in their schoolbags; it is only right that these equally essential items are also freely available.”
(ENGLISH GOVERNMENT SCHEME — FREE PERIODS, 2020)
The Success…
After many talks with MP’s and protests outside parliament, this is a huge success story. From January 2020, every state funded school and college in England is now eligible to order free period products for their students. This scheme also fights to educate, both the teachers and students, on menstruation, tackling the stigma one period at a time. (London, 2020)
The Mission Continues…
Finally the success achieved for schools and women in the UK is huge, but the efforts do not stop as period poverty is a massive, very pressing worldwide issue. I urge you to follow the accounts mentioned above and below to join this positive movement towards a period poverty free future.
5 Great accounts to follow…
Get Involved…
FREE PERIODS
Donate – https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/freeperiods?utm_term=qYa6zwpgy
Follow – https://www.instagram.com/freeperiods/
Contact – https://www.freeperiods.org/contact
References…
FREE PERIODS. 2020. ENGLISH GOVERNMENT SCHEME — FREE PERIODS. [online] Available at: <https://www.freeperiods.org/english-govt-scheme> [Accessed 5 April 2020].
The Pink Protest. 2020. #Freeperiods — The Pink Protest. [online] Available at: <https://www.pinkprotest.org/freeperiods> [Accessed 2 April 2020].
BBC News. 2020. Free Sanitary Products Promised For Schools. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47553449> [Accessed 7 April 2020].
National Schools Partnership. 2020. About You 2019 – 2020 – National Schools Partnership. [online] Available at: <https://nationalschoolspartnership.com/initiatives/about-you/> [Accessed 8 April 2020].
London, B., 2020. ‘We Have Been Waiting For This Day For A Long Time’: Amika George Celebrates Free Period Products In All Schools And Colleges. [online] Glamourmagazine.co.uk. Available at: <https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/free-periods-protest> [Accessed 13 April 2020].
Redboxproject.org. 2020. About. [online] Available at: <http://redboxproject.org/about/> [Accessed 13 April 2020].
Jodie Thomas SAB935 Creative Dissent 