Since I started the campaign, I have also become aware of just how many other issues there are surrounding menstruation. Due to the longstanding stigma around periods, both social and environmental issues on the subject often slip under the radar. Like many in the UK, when I received my very brief period education at primary school, my teacher told me to “use these when the time comes” whilst holding up branded product samples supplied by Tampax and Always.
One such question that has garnered my attention is period poverty. I am an advocate that no one should miss out on their education or be discriminated against because of their natural cycle, and it is fantastic that thanks to the hard work of individuals and groups like Amika George and The Red Box Project, governments in England, Scotland and Wales are making period products freely available at schools.
It is the right thing to do, but we also need to consider the long-term environmental impacts of the products this much-needed funding is spent on. This is why in addition to the campaign I have been calling for governments to use all funding on eco-friendly products, so that we can tackle period poverty, the plastic crisis and protect the environment simultaneously. We know the impacts of plastic on the environment and that eco-friendly products are better for people and the planet, so why not take the opportunity to do the right thing for everyone?
This has been met with positivity by Welsh local authorities and in September 2019 Caerphilly Council was the first to commit to spending all their funding on eco-friendly products. Our meeting was serendipitous, Caerphilly Council already clearly cared about the environment. The unwavering enthusiasm and determination they displayed to spend their funding sustainably from our first meeting and throughout the entire process was inspiring. I am thrilled that more councils will be following in their progressive footsteps.