HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Photography by Megan Bevis

Five ways you can join the fight against period poverty today

People globally are struggling constantly due to period poverty, whether not being able to afford sanitary products or having to face the stigma of menstruation. There are lots of ways you can start helping those in need today by raising awareness of period poverty and joining the fight to end it for good.

1. Buy your sanitary products from brands that give back to people who menstruate

There are numerous brands who have Buy One Give One schemes or those who donate part of its profits to organisations and charities helping to end period poverty. Sanitary product brand Always donates millions of products a year to those in need and so does Hey Girls, selling pads, tampons and cups stocked in ASDA.

2. Donate your unused sanitary products

Do you have some spare sanitary products left over at the end of the month or found a spare box of pads in the back of your draw? You can donate them to many different charities and organisations who will then distribute them to people in need. The Red Box Project has set up donation points all over the country to supply schools and colleges with sanitary product boxes built from your donations, to ensure that no young person misses school because they have their period. Visit http://redboxproject.org to find your closest donation spot.

3. Support charities and organisations helping to end period poverty

Many non-profit organisations and charities have been set up to help fight period poverty by raising awareness and supplying products to those in need. Bloody Good Period is a growing enterprise with a mission of supplying a sustainable flow of menstrual products for those who can’t afford it. Bloody Good Period runs off your donations to buy and supply sanitary products, which they now successfully deliver to 25 asylum seeker drop in centres around London and Leeds. With more donations Bloody Good Period aims to supply to more drop in centres and food banks around the UK. Visit https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/donate to help.

4. Raise Awareness

A major issue alongside period poverty is the stigma and silence surrounding menstruation. The more conversations that are had the more awareness is raised, leading to the discussion of ways to find a solution to ending period poverty. You can join the fight by starting a conversation with your family and friends, educate people on the impact period poverty can have and teaching others how they can help. Write to your local MP about period poverty and ask them to take action. Reach out to your school or college and ask why they don’t supply sanitary products in the toilets. Using your voice to start these crucial conversations can have a massive impact on fighting period poverty by breaking down the stigma of menstruation one person at a time.

5. Keep informed

Progress is happening daily. It was recently announced that sanitary products will now be supplied in both primary and secondary schools by law. But there is still a long way to go to end period poverty for good. The best way you can stay informed is to follow period poverty activists, organisations and spokespeople on social media. Amika George started the Free Periods protest when she was only 17-years-old, you can follow her campaign on instagram at @freeperiods.