More than 800 million people menstruate daily and for many of these people access to sanitary products is not available due to financial restraints.
Period poverty is a Global issue and many countries are trying to tackle this in the best way they can. Some countries however are struggling to keep up with the rest.
As of 2020, Northern Ireland is now the only place in the UK to not offer access to free sanitary products in schools. Research from an online survey posted on social media found that 77.78% of people were not even aware of this.
1 in 10 women and girls are unable or struggle to afford sanitary products. In terms of how this is affecting education statistics show that absence rates for both boys and girls rise from the age of 10. Absence rates for girls are lower than those for boys until the age of 13 but girls’ absence rates exceed those of boys from the age of 13 onwards. There is no officially stated reason for this but speculation is that this is a direct result of period poverty - The Department of Education revealed that, “The increased absence rate for girls from the age of 13 is seen amongst pupils eligible for free school meals”
There are no official statistics of how extreme the effects of Period poverty are in Northern Ireland, however research from The Bloody Big Brunch estimates that more than a quarter of females here have missed school or work because of it. It is estimated that 49% of women will miss at least one full day of work or school due to period poverty.
The before mentioned online survey also contained a comments section where people could anonymously tell their own experiences or views on period poverty. A large amount of these ‘experiences’ occurred within educational facilities or work places,
“In school a friend had her period but wasn't able to take any backup to school as her mum had said one pad had to do her the whole day…we weren't made aware of the school providing any sanitary ware, so we were nervous and embarrassed to ask for help when she leaked through. At the end of the class my friend didn't want to get up out of her chair in case it was obvious and the teacher picked up on this. She was able to go into her own bag and give her own product to my friend. I still wonder what would have happened if the teacher herself was not so empathetic.”
Whilst this is still very much a struggle in many Northern Ireland Educational systems, organizations and individuals are trying their best to tackle the issue themselves.
Ulster University has recently led a Period poverty initiative led by Student Facilities rep Grace Boyle - “I like many other students often work long nights in university and it is vital that facilities are in place to access sanitary products after 6pm. Before our Period Poverty initiative, there was nowhere on campus to buy sanitary products and no dispensers in any of the bathrooms across the university. Menstruation is an involuntary act and sanitary products should be as a principal free!”
She continues with this statement “It is important that period poverty does not go unnoticed”
which sums up the general situation of Period Poverty in Northern Ireland and peoples need for change to make education fair and accessible for all
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