Only 40% of schools and colleges in England have utilised the Government's free period products scheme.
The #freeperiods campaign, led by student activist Amika George collaborated with campaign groups such as The Pink Protest and The Red Box Project to organise a protest in December 2017. They raised a petition to put an end to period poverty. On 28th March 2019, the Government pledged to give £1.5 Million to address period poverty as well as announcing a plan to provide free menstrual products in secondary schools and colleges in England, to be actioned in January 2020.
Charities tackling period poverty have seen an increase in requests to help during the Covid-19 period. Freedom4Girls (based in Leeds) said that they have seen a five-fold increase in the number of free sanitary products it supplied. Bloody Good Period (nationwide) stated the number of distributed products a month has risen from 5,000 packs a month to 23,000 packs in the first three months of lockdown. This shows that free access to period products may be more crucial than ever.
Girls, non-binary and transgender learners who have periods are eligible to access this scheme. Readers, please sign up to access free period products within your place of learning. Just call PHS directly on 01827 255500 or email periodproducts@phs.co.uk
For further information, search www.freeperiods.org. The website also provides a template letter to get in touch with your local school or college and let them know about the scheme.
Written by Abby Hunt
Artwork by Zara Masood
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