Ipswich campaign shines a light on period poverty
A youth-led campaign is highlighting where people in Ipswich can access free period products, as part of a push to tackle period poverty and stigma in the town.
Why it matters: Ipswich Period Rights, a youth campaign running as part of Ipswich MP Jack Abbott's Summer School, says period poverty can exclude people from public life, with almost a quarter of those unable to afford products staying at home as a result.
The details: This week, the group is carrying out social media and in-person outreach to highlight local businesses and community spaces already offering free period products, including Another Bowl, Cub Cafe and Harvest Moon. The campaign is encouraging more local businesses and venues to consider stocking period products in their toilets.
By the numbers:
- 11% of people who menstruate in the UK have struggled to afford period products in the last year, according to a recent ActionAid UK poll, being forced to prioritise food and energy instead.
- 43% of respondents to a 2021 Suffolk County Council survey said they had used sanitary products not fit for purpose, or for too long, because of cost.
- 22% of people unable to afford period products said they stayed at home as a result.
What they're saying: Katy Robinson, named the UK's Most Influential Woman in Construction, explained why providing period products is essential: "I can guarantee not everybody uses the soap, but we still provide it," arguing the same principle should apply to period products.
Deputy leader of Ipswich Borough Council, Cllr Bryony Rudkin, said: "It's not just period poverty, it's accessibility."
Jack Abbott MP, who has campaigned extensively on women's health issues, said: "Period poverty is clearly a major issue in Ipswich. At the heart of the issue is the cost of living crisis, but also the stigma and systemic issues that affect women's health."
Charlotte Legrand, a spokesperson for the campaign, said: "It has been great to see how many businesses around Ipswich offer free period products. While this is a topic that is often surrounded by stigma, it has been really positive to see the ways in which the community has supported our campaign. Food banks, churches, councillors and local charities are already doing important work, and we hope to raise greater awareness of the support that is available."
The bottom line: Ipswich Period Rights wants to make existing free provision more visible and encourage more organisations across the town to offer period products, tackling both the practical and social barriers of period poverty.
People can support the campaign by following @periodrightsipswich on Instagram.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£20 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line