Gather all, gather all! Free Period Products!
This is not clickbait or fake news!
Recently Scotland announced that it will provide Period Products for free to its citizens. This is a long-awaited change after the lawmaker Monica Lennon submitted the proposal in 2020. This is a step toward the global effort to end the “period poverty”.
So we decided it’s a good time to talk with you about that time of the month!
First, what is “period poverty”?
It’s the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene resources needed when having a period. It is more common than you think and it doesn’t exist only in developing countries. It’s estimated that about 500 million people who menstruate don’t have access to period products and related hygiene resources. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number has highly increased compared to surveys from 2018.
Is there a way to end period poverty?
One option is to remove the tax on period products in order to make them more affordable to the general public. A period costs approximately around 10 euros a month depending on where you live and how heavy flow you have.
Is there a way to reduce the cost of your period? YES, and there is a bonus point for being eco-friendly! We offer you 3 options for reusable period products and let you decide if they are suitable for you:
Option 1 – a Menstrual cup
It’s usually made out of silicone or rubber. The best part is that once inserted, you don’t need to change it for up to 12 hours. If you care for it properly, it can be used for up to 10 years, which makes them an excellent investment.
Option 2 – period panties – another great alternative, though with much less of a lifetime. Depending on the type, brand, and material they can last from 6 months to 2 years.
Option 3 – reusable pads. Made of organic cotton they can be used, washed, and reused for up to 5 years.
Scotland is the first to offer totally free period care, but there are other countries out there that are taking small steps toward improving the experience of people who menstruate.
New Zealand and Seoul offer free menstrual products in schools. And the movement spreads further. From the 19th of April 2021, Lidl Ireland is offering a coupon through the Lidl Plus app, allowing it once a month to be exchanged for a box of sanitary pads or tampons.
In Morrisons (United Kingdom), you can get a discreet envelope with period products, if you “ask for Sandy”.
We would love to hear from you other good examples in the fight against “period poverty”!
What is your country/city/community doing?
What are you personally doing on the matter?
Responses