A TRIAL to provide free menstrual products in public toilets across Wychavon has been launched in response to startling statistics around period poverty.
More than one in five people who menstruate in the UK struggle to afford period products which has prompted Wychavon to team up with charity Hey Girls.
Hey Girls’ campaign aims to wipe out period poverty and challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation, highlighting that access to sanitary products is a fundamental necessity.
Period poverty, the inability to afford or access menstrual products, is a challenge in Wychavon, as it is in many other parts of the UK.
The council is combating this as part of a broader move to improve health and wellbeing locally. Wychavon, in partnership with Hey Girls will place free disposable period products in toilets across the district for those unable to afford them.
The products are eco-friendly and recyclable, made from sustainably sourced bamboo and organic cotton. Beyond product availability, the council is also dedicated to reducing stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation.
In the initial trial period, free period products will be available through free-to-use vending machines located in all female toilets in the district.
Councillor Beverley Hardman, executive board member for environment at Wychavon, emphasises the shift away from the term ‘period poverty’, advocating for ‘period dignity.’
She said: “It’s about promoting a positive message, promoting a supportive environment, and empowering women while tackling the stigma associated with periods.”
Current data reveals the number of women in the UK struggling to afford period products is on the rise.
An estimated 2.8 million people, more than one in five, are struggling to afford period products. This results in people wearing their products for longer and re-using disposable pads, which can be hazardous to health.
Action Aid found in their 2023 poll, that of women and people who menstruate, thirty-seven per cent said they had used tissues or cotton wool instead of sanitary products in the last 12 months.
Thirteen per cent used socks or other clothing, and 9 per cent resorted to using paper or newspaper.
Coun Hardman noted the ongoing cost-of-living crisis significantly exacerbates these issues, forcing families to make tough choices between basic necessities.
“While Wychavon is generally considered an affluent area, it does have pockets of deprivation,” she added.
“We know the demand for period products is there. But, it’s not just about addressing a lack of access; it’s about creating a culture where periods are normalised, and no one feels shame or stigma.
“It’s not just about providing products; it’s about showing we care.”
This trial is made possible through the Household Support Fund, with plans to continue providing this essential service if the trial proves successful.
