Period Poverty in the UK has hit a 12% rise this year meaning an estimated 2.8 million people are affected

Period poverty is a worldwide issue and affects millions of women and girls who struggle to afford or access safe menstrual protection.

The economic, social and environmental impacts of period poverty are huge, with many of those affected restricted from equal education and job opportunities simply due to their periods.

It is estimated that 137,000 children across the UK have missed school days due to period poverty.

With the cost of living crisis the number of people affected by period poverty has drastically increased this year.

Freedom4girls is a Leeds based charity devoted to fighting period poverty in the UK. Providing education, resources and a friendly face in a tough situation.

They hold workshops every last Friday of the month where they hand out a variety of free period products ensuring they suit everyone’s needs and even teach girls how to sew and make their own reusable pads.

They also have projects where they send period products over to places in Africa like Kenya to help aid the period poverty issue there.

Just in 2021 Freedom4girls was given The Queens Award for voluntary service.

Deborah Green is a volunteer for Freedom4girls and runs some of the workshops.

Ms. Green has a background in sustainability and textiles and thinks the reusable pads are the new way forward, saving you money but also helping the environment.

She said she has noticed an increase in the demand for help with the cost of living crisis. She added:

“If they can’t afford the heating bill and water, their rent and can’t afford food, they’re not going to go out nd buy period products, so they’re going to end up going without.”

Of those 1 in 5 that period poverty affects, 41% kept sanitary pads or tampons in for longer, and 8% re-used disposable pads, which can be a dangerous method of period management and even cause Toxic shock syndrome or TSS.

Vita Student is one business in Leeds that are helping to tackle period poverty and have recently introduced a free period products basket for the staff to use.

Assistant manager Megan Walker said: “you can’t control if you have periods or not they’re should be aid there.”

She added:

“You shouldn’t be left feeling uncomfortable or worried that you can’t afford it for something that’s completely out of your control.”

With charities like Freedom4girls and workplaces getting on board, Leeds is one step closer to putting an end to period poverty.