Ending period poverty

Written by Natasha Crane

Girlguiding joined the fight against period poverty in 2018 and launched the End Period Poverty badge. Natasha from Alexandra Park Rangers tells us what it was like completing the badge and why ending period poverty is so important.

Our evening at Rangers working towards the End Period Poverty badge is one that I think will remain in my memory for a very long time. It was refreshing and satisfying to have an actual discussion that didn’t feel censored, controlled or kept within conditions of what is considered “acceptable”.

I have always been open when it comes to discussions about feminism, and periods and period poverty has always been included in that. But I have always found it frustrating that I’m never quite able to get my point across to people who are adamant that periods are something to be quiet about. I think this discussion was the most successful and free conversation I’ve ever had with a group of girls my age. We all go to different schools and have different experiences of handling our periods during the school day, and it was interesting to learn about how other schools facilitate (or fail to facilitate) the needs of a girl on her period.

I think this discussion was useful for us all on how to take steps to improve conditions and facilities in our own places of education and to share our views and spark discussion among other people our age about periods. We have been provided with knowledge that every girl deserves to have.

We are aware of how and why girls are missing school and college during their periods, and how we can make steps towards ending this. Being more educated on the existence of period poverty and the ways it affects people and girls across the UK hopefully means we can all take this knowledge and spread awareness and increase momentum for the cause, and achieve the aim of ending period poverty forever.

Our unit has decided to take action by joining with the church where we meet to set up a collection of period products to be donated to an organisation that provides equipment and supplies for families in need and to raise awareness of the issues in a wider group consisting of people of all ages and genders.

Find out more about Girlguiding’s End Period Poverty badge and download the activity packs here.

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