Period poverty refers to the inability to access menstrual products due to financial constraints, limited availability, or stigma that prevents individuals from obtaining the hygiene products they need.
During the current cost-of-living crisis, period poverty is more prevalent than ever, which is why I'm launching this ongoing campaign to take proactive steps in reducing period poverty at Harper Adams University.
Taken directly from an article published by the Higher Education Policy Institute in 2024:
Period poverty also puts students’ physical health at risk as those who can’t access period products often feel forced to turn to potentially dangerous alternatives. For example, Plan International UK found that over half (54%) of girls experiencing period poverty have used toilet paper and socks as an alternative to period products and ActionAid found 41% kept sanitary pads or tampons in for longer, and 8% re-used disposable pads, which can cause infections, irritation and long-term health problems.
Period Poverty in UK Higher Education: Addressing Stigma and Empowering Students - HEPI
In Scotland, it is a legal requirement under the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, and as a higher education provider, we want to ensure the students at Harper Adams University never have to worry about access to basic hygiene products.
My period poverty campaign is aiming to supply free period product baskets in all female and disabled toilets on campus. QR codes would be available for students to scan if the basket is empty to alert us so that we can refill them as needed. I am in discussions with the Student Union and Student Services about how we can put this in place going forward so that students never have to worry about periods impacting their access to education on campus.
The most vital part of this campaign is making products available for free on campus. Sustainable options will be explored in line with our University's values to further protect the environment, but my priority is ensuring that something is available at all.