Period Poverty and the 'Inconvenience' of Female Anatomy

The problems that come alongside periods always seem to be the worst thing. Yes, the basis of it is quite uncomfortable and ultimately unfair that many individuals have to go through that every 28 days, but there are so many 'things' we all just have to deal with alongside it. Like PMS, irrational outbursts (which are always the worst when you're self-aware, but you just can't help shouting about everything), unbearable stomach cramps, moodiness, over or under eating. The list seems to be endless, but this isn't a pity party. We deal with it because we have to. We can't blame anyone, because it's our anatomy. It's the basis of our population- if we didn't have it, we couldn't reproduce. It's no one's fault, it's just a thing that happens. So with that, if you think about, why do we have to deal with it? For example, it costs me around £3-7 a month entirely for sanitary products, which includes painkillers (which are necessary, my uterus is dramatic) which in a year, that's just under £100 (on average). That's a lot of money for something I can't help about myself, right?

For me personally, I've always had the privilege of not experiencing any issues with buying sanitary products and painkillers to help me mope through the four days of utter pain I experience during my period, but many people do, which brings me on to the concept of 'Period Poverty'. Period Poverty is a huge social issue which is present around the world, but terrifyingly enough could be right next door. In the UK alone; 

•  1/4 young girls miss school or work due to issues around menstruation, such as being unable to afford sanitary products or painkillers,
• 12% of girls will borrow sanitary products from their peers 
• 10% will 'improvise', using old clothing, toilet tissue etc. 

This, therefore shows, that in a hugely developed nation, 36% of women between the ages of 14-21 will actively struggle every month due to their periods. Their anatomy. Something they physically are unable to change about themselves, because of social stigma and funding. 

You have to think rationally about it, if a young women came out in public on her period using no sanitary product and she had stains on her trousers, she would either be labelled as one of those 'radical feminists' (as people like to say) or would be seen as unclean, so not using sanitary products it's entirely out the window. But with that comes the £2.80 tampons (on average) with around 12 in them, which last around 3-5 days depending on how heavy your period is. Some people need more than that, some people have longer periods, which means more and more money. Not everyone has more and more money.

It's often a notion which is dismissed because 'generally' people don't struggle with this issue, it's usually young girls whose families don't have the financial support to give their children £3-7 a month for products. It's horrifying because the vulnerability without periods during teenhood is definitely prevalent, so to add on this other thing, alongside the social stigma of it and the funding you need to fulfil this social stigma, it's quite a lot to think about. 

Of course, I could sit here and talk about the Tampon Tax and how sanitary products are considered a luxury so the government can make a profit from female anatomy, but then go onto to complain about attendance in schools and how bad it is that attendance within teens seems to be getting worse, but that would be rather radical of me wouldn't it? Or the idea that, if you think about enough, I could probably bet all the money I've spent on sanitary products since I was 11 (hint: it's a lot) with full confidence that if a man experienced periods, this problem would not exist in today's society. BUT, I'm not going to. I'm going to tell you all about the incredible things many UK charities do for individuals who experience 'Period Poverty' every month, and how you are able to help towards this very important issue we are facing in society today. 

THE RED BOX PROJECT

This charity is a nationwide organization which free provides sanitary products within a 'red box' to local schools, so young girls always have access if needs be. It's super easy to get involved, for example, the ability to donate local 'red boxes' is always available, as well as the opportunity to create your own and begin a donation to a local school yourself. The charity has had a huge impact on young women across the UK, allowing thousands of girls to no longer miss their education due to menstruation problems. It's a brilliant charity, who deserve as much support as you can give. They're super easy to find on social media too.

BLOODY GOOD PERIOD

This particular charity I believe focuses on Asylum Seekers and providing a monthly flow of products to those who need them. They discuss particular about how sanitary products are considered to be a luxury for many asylum seekers who experience periods, and with this, they provide sanitary products for free within asylum-seeker drop-in centres and food banks. Their Instagram is also super easy to find.