If you have read the news recently, you’ve likely seen the staggering statistics on the UK’s period poverty crisis. Defined as having ‘insufficient access to menstrual products,’ period poverty rose from affecting 12 per cent to 21 per cent of women and girls in the UK in 2023. That means roughly a million more people were dragged into menstrual poverty last year.
Last week, the BBC published a damning report on the £3bn savings made by local authorities in 2024 — partly funded by the ‘removal of period poverty services.’ Something has clearly gone horribly wrong. With an issue as widespread and systemic as this, it can be hard to determine who is responsible, and how we should tackle it. But action needs to be taken.
So, who in our country is equipped to eradicate period poverty?
Charities
When times are tough, we often rely on the generosity of charitable organisations to see us through rainy days. Throughout the UK, many charities have been helping to tackle period poverty for almost a decade, including Freedom4Girls, which was founded in 2016. Since then, the organisation has educated over 10,000 young people on menstruation and delivered hundreds of thousands of period products to those in need. In 2023 alone, they distributed 27,000 packs of menstrual products across England’s most deprived areas.
But we cannot rely on them to eradicate a nationwide crisis like period poverty. Unlike businesses, which exist to make profit, charities are heavily reliant upon, and often constrained by, the donations they receive. This diminishes their reach and means that their impact is very localised. Freedom4Girls, for example, predominantly operates in Leeds. Even within their small sphere of influence, it’s impossible to judge the true extent of their reach or ascertain whether donations are being utilised to their full potential. Charities can distribute pads to shelters and schools, but are the products being stored somewhere that’s discreet and accessible? Is it common knowledge that they are even available? If not, then the donations aren’t reaching the women they were intended for.
The Government
Though unwavering in their mission, charities face numerous challenges in eradicating period poverty. The government has no such restrictions. Not only does it raise one trillion in revenue every year, but it also has the power to exact monumental change. It can pass legislation stating that employers have to supply staff with pads. It can finance schemes to tackle the root causes of menstrual poverty, like the fact that 60 per cent of those who can’t afford period products prioritise buying everyday essentials. We have seen the staggering success of similar initiatives in the past, such as the provision of free sanitary products in schools and hospitals.
You would also assume that Starmer’s Cabinet is the most inclined in British history to tackle the period poverty crisis, especially after Deputy PM Angela Rayner recounted her childhood experiences of period poverty during the run-up to the general election. But unfortunately, the government aren’t putting their money where their mouth is. After Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that there was an alleged ‘black hole’ in public finances, the Prime Minister has warned of a ‘painful’ October budget ahead and a crackdown on spending. We have already felt the effects of this: the two-child benefit cap remains, pensioners’ winter fuel payments are now means-tested and tax rises are on the horizon. So despite pledging to improve the quality of life for women in the UK, it’s unlikely our new government will be willing to spend money on tackling period poverty anytime soon.
Supermarkets
If charities are unable to have a widespread impact on period poverty and the government is refusing to increase spending, that can only leave the private sector. In particular, supermarkets have proven that they can be invaluable in the fight to end period poverty. Take Morrisons, for example, whose successful Package For Sandy scheme began in 2021. Essentially, the premise is that anyone can go up to a member of staff and ask for ‘a package for Sandy,’ and you’ll be handed free period products in a discreet paper bag. The idea was first created by Emma Parkinson, a Morrisons employee from Bolton, who had witnessed the effects of period poverty in her local area. Now, the initiative has been rolled out across 497 Morrisons stores. Parkinson is thrilled that her idea has been implemented across the UK, saying:
‘Going to a school in a predominantly low-income area gave me an insight into what it’s like to have no access to sanitary wear. I’m really pleased that … Morrisons can help to support those in need.’
And why shouldn’t supermarkets chip in to help their struggling customers? Especially when they generate billions of pounds of profit each year. If Morrisons, who made £970 million in profit last year, can afford to finance the Package for Sandy initiative, then so can Asda and Tesco, who made £1.1 billion and £2.3 billion in profit respectively in 2023. Unlike their customers, who are grappling with tampon ‘shrinkflation’ and the £4,800 cost of period products over their lifetime, these chains are well-equipped to tackle period poverty because they have the funds to do so.
Supermarkets also have a huge reach. There are almost 13,000 grocery stores in the UK, meaning every town and borough, no matter how remote, has at least one supermarket nearby. Unlike charities, whose operations are very localised, initiatives by large chains could reach the entire population, helping to tackle period poverty in all regions of the UK.
If all women could access free period products at their local supermarket when times were rough, imagine what a difference that could make to their lives. It would mean fewer women having to be off school or work. It would also reduce their likelihood of infection and increase their standard of living, as 50 per cent of women who experience menstrual poverty have depressive symptoms.
Eradicating period poverty may seem nigh on impossible, but supermarkets, with their enormous profits, must realise their duty to support their customers and minimise this growing crisis.
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