Youth Ambassador Speaks out on Period Poverty
Written by Darcy, aged 17 from Kent who is an End Child Poverty Youth Ambassador.
Period poverty isn’t spoken about enough but it affects 3 in 10 girls in the UK. For these girls, managing their period is a huge challenge, not just because of the lack of access to products but also due to poor education about menstruation. This isn’t just a statistic for me—it’s a reality I see around me. My name is Darcy, I’m 17 and I’ve witnessed firsthand how tough it is when you don’t have what you need. More people need to know the impact of period poverty on families.
Period poverty means not being able to afford sanitary products. It often goes hand in hand with a lack of education about menstruation. It disrupts lives and affects wellbeing. In a country that prides itself on being a place where everyone can succeed, it’s shocking that 30% of girls in the UK can’t access these basic necessities.
Period poverty is exhausting and relentless. It’s not just a matter of a day or two; it can last over a week and then returns the next month. Pads, tampons, and other products are incredibly expensive—I’ve had so many conversations with my older sister about how hard it is to afford them. I have to carefully plan which products to use and when, hoping I wouldn’t need to buy the more expensive options. Dealing with period poverty adds an extra burden to an already difficult time of the month.
I’ve had to leave school early multiple times and miss days of school because I didn’t have the right period products. It is not possible for low income families to cover the costs of these items; they are so expensive; and even more costly if you need specific products, for example for heavy periods or sensitive skin. Nearly 50% of girls have missed at least one day of school due to their period. If the necessary products were more accessible, it would be so much easier for girls and women to continue with their lives despite being on their period.
When I can’t carry on with my life because of my period, I feel like I’m missing out on socialising and learning. It’s unfair that something so natural can hold me back. There’s still a stigma around periods; girls shouldn’t be afraid to ask for products, and they definitely shouldn’t have to miss school or work because of it.
Girls from low-income families are much less likely to have access to period products compared to those who can afford them. The cost of living crisis and inflation have only made this worse, with more girls and women struggling to afford these essentials.
It’s encouraging to see that Scotland has removed the tax on period products. I hope our new Labour Government will see the positive impact this has had on women and girls in Scotland and follow their lead. Removing the tax on period products would ease the burden for millions and reduce period poverty across the UK. For families on a low income, or receiving benefits it is simply not possible for them to afford sanitary products, and families receiving them from charities or food banks must use what they are given, with no option to specify what they may need.
