It may be 2018, but girls in the UK are still frequently missing school because they can't afford sanitary products. More than 137,700 10 to 18-year-olds missed out on their education last year because of period poverty. That's roughly 7% of schoolgirls missing an average of five days of school in a year because of something that most people with periods don't need to think twice about: whether they should spend money on food or sanitary pads.
Period poverty remains endemic and underreported around the world, but in the UK at least, public awareness of the problem has grown in recent years. There was an outcry in March 2017 when a Leeds teacher revealed that pupils weren't coming in during their periods and were using socks instead of tampons or pads; and there were celebrations when the government announced in March that tampon tax funding would go towards ending period poverty for the first time.
Now, the topic is being used to inspire art. A group of prominent Instapoets have taken on the issue, penning works about the stigma surrounding periods and the shame linked to period poverty and posting them on social media. Poets including Nikita Gill, Hollie McNish, Greta Bellamacina and Jen Campbell, and bloggers including Grace Victory, have written bespoke verses as part of the #EndPeriodPoverty campaign. Always, which is spearheading the initiative, will donate a pad to The Red Box Project for every like or comment the Instapoems receive. There couldn't be an easier way to show your support for a good cause. Click through to read the poems.
"It is horrifying to learn that thousands of school children in the UK regularly miss school due to the lack of basic hygiene products," wrote Nikita Gill. "A part of the reason why period poverty is such an issue today is due to the lack of conversation around it. Young children face stigma and shame at an early age. According to research, children who experience period poverty are more likely to be bullied, as so can have mental health issues and low confidence as an adult." She went on to clarify that trans men and non-binary people have periods too.
"To be blunt – for each like of this poem snippet that I wrote for @Always_UK_Ireland, they will donate a free pad to the @theredboxprojectuk to help #EndPeriodPoverty," wrote Hollie McNish. "The number of girls in the UK and worldwide who miss school because of periods is shameful."
"Stop the shame around period poverty! I’m campaigning to help #endperiodpoverty after it was revealed that females who experienced the issue believe it has a direct effect on their confidence and happiness in the future," said Greta Bellamacina. "All women deserve to be free of the stigma and shame attached to periods and period poverty."
"When you’re on your period, you should still be able to attend school," wrote Jen Campbell. "Thousands of children and teenagers regularly miss school because they cannot afford sanitary protection and research shows that this affects more than just their education. Over half (52%) of those who have experienced period poverty believe it has had a direct impact on their success, confidence and happiness as an adult. Being able to stay in school is important not only for education, but for mental health and confidence."
"Make a difference today. By liking and commenting on this post you are helping to donate a pad to support girls across UK who can't afford sanitary products – because not everyone is as lucky, we need your help," said Natasha Dubalia. "Writing and creating this post has been incredibly emotional for me, I contacted many girls whose stories had really touched my heart. Trust me, they need us."
"It’s time to stand with us and fight against period poverty— many think this problem only effects women in third world countries, but today we turn our eyes to the UK and Ireland," wrote Rclift. "Some heartbreaking facts I didn’t realise were so very real for women in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales: Over half of women who have experienced period poverty believe it has had a direct effect on their success, confidence and happiness; Thousands of UK girls regularly miss school because they cannot afford sanitary protection and sadly research shows that this has more than just an effect on their education; Six in 10 females who have experienced period poverty were bullied at school, leading to low confidence as an adult, anxiety or depression."
"Research has shown that thousands of girls across the UK are regularly missing school because they can’t afford sanitary wear, and now, over half of women who have experienced period poverty believe it has had a direct effect on their success, confidence and happiness as an adult," said Luna Leigh. "Having access to period protection shouldn’t be linked to your bank balance."
"Latest research shows that thousands of school girls miss school because they can’t afford sanitary products, and that this shame and experience can have a ripple-effect on a girl’s mental health, success and confidence in the future," wrote Grace Victory.
"This is such a great cause that is impacting so many young women, so I am delighted to be involved with this campaign and to use my creative voice to help fight the shame surrounding this hugely important issue of period poverty," said Fenella Fox.
"[Always] asked me to write a poem about period poverty, and whilst I've been fortunate enough to never have experienced it, thousands of UK schoolgirls regularly miss school due to a lack of access to sanitary protection," wrote Lucy Moon.
"Thousands of school girls are missing out on education due to lack of sanitary protection, something most of us don’t even think twice about," said El Russell. "And now it has been revealed that women who have experienced period poverty as girls are likely to grow up and face anxiety or depression. It’s so important that we raise awareness and give our support to these girls who suffer shame and struggle due to period poverty."
"I wrote a poem called ‘There’! Growing up can be a slog, but there were some things that I just didn't have to worry about when I was at school," wrote Leena Norms. "A lot of things get my goat, but one of them that has been blowing my mind recently is learning that thousands of school kids in the UK regularly miss school because of period poverty – literally not being able to afford pads, tampons or other basic sanitary protection essentials."
"Thousands of UK girls regularly miss school because they cannot afford sanitary products and something needs to be done, because experiencing period poverty can affect a girl’s mental health and confidence later in life," said Angela Ainnes.
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