Let's End Period Poverty in Uttlesford

This petition was launched on 7th March 2020 at an annual celebration of International Women's Day at Saffron Walden day centre open to the public focused on relieving women from the indignity of a lack of menstrual products, as well as discrimination issues faced by women due to taboos associated with menstruation in different parts of the world. (See Picture above: "Leviticus Illustrated 10" by adamrice)

On average, menstruating women in the UK spend around £5000 in their lifetime on period products. Low-income families should not have the additional burden of struggling to afford menstrual products, or young people having to use socks in their pants, or missing school once a month because they just can’t afford menstrual protection. An estimated 137,000 young women and girls missing school every year because they do not have the products they need.

Uttlesford has a high level of inequality with 21.4% of children living in poverty in 2019 (End Child Poverty Coalition). Nearly 2,300 girls living in poverty in Uttlesford. In one of the richest districts of the fifth richest country in the world, this is completely unacceptable It is a real, local issue which we as a collective can resolve.

For the sake of dignity for girls and women, Saffron Walden Constituency Labour Party call on Uttlesford District Council and other local authorities in the area to provide free menstrual products in all of its public facilities. Schools, libraries, youth centres, public toilets, should all provide full access to a range of period products.

The petition calls for non-means tested distribution in public buildings such as toilets and libraries, and a drive to assist vulnerable sections of the population, notably households dependent on food banks and people facing housing insecurity.