South Yorkshire youth homeless charity Roundabout Sheffield has appealed on social media for donations of sanitary products, in a bid to tackle period poverty rising in the area.
The charity says at least 50% of the young women at Roundabout can’t afford any products, despite trying to budget.
Lisa Walters, a Roundabout hostel manager, told ShefNews many young women will just lock themselves in their room as they haven’t got any products to carry on with their lives.
“We are trying to give young people independence and get them back into society. To be able to work and move forward,” said Ms Walters.
The charity appealed on Twitter for donations of pads, tampons and menstrual cups.
Roundabout aims to break the cycle of homelessness and support young people in their time of need.
They support over 350 young people across South Yorkshire.
ShefNews spoke to Dr Maria Tomlinson, Lecturer in Public Communications and Gender at Sheffield University and an expert in menstrual activism, about how big of an issue Period Poverty has become.
What is Period Poverty?
The term was originally coined by the media as there was a consistent lack of sanitary products being provided to women.
It means not being able to afford and understand the need for period products.
Dr Tomlinson said a lot of organisations are trying to combat period poverty but they have to recognise that it is more than just being able to afford products.
It stems from a lack of education, the quality of the products and a stigma being driven around periods.
For example, if a young person doesn’t have a pad at home they might feel too embarrassed to ask their dad to get them one. Or, if the family has a low budget they can only afford poor quality products that might not be good for their health.
How much awareness is there?
Dr Tomlinson created a case study which predominantly focused on period poverty in Sheffield.
She spoke to young students in state schools and private schools and asked the same question: what do you know about Period Poverty?
She said the outcome was extremely similar as all of those interviewed thought distinctively about Africa. It was shocking to see the revelation as students realised that period poverty is actually a worldwide problem.
“Poverty is quite hidden. Our country has been in a state of austerity for so long and not enough is being done,” said Dr Tomlinson.
“One in 10 young people face period poverty as period products are rather expensive but it is a lot more complex than having enough money to buy pads.”
What’s being done?
In 2021, the UK government removed VAT from period products in order to help tackle period poverty.
Dr Tomlinson said the government has also “placed an opt-in scheme for schools to provide free period products”.
“As an opt-in scheme, not all schools have opted in so only a fair amount of schools have adequate supplies of period products to offer,” she said.