Free Periods has teamed up with the Red Box Project to a new legal campaign for free menstrual products in schools – and they need your support
The Free Periods campaign, brainchild of Amika George, has had a huge year in its fight against period poverty. Today, sees the beginning of a new legal campaign to provide free menstrual products to all schoolchildren – and a Crowdfunder that needs to raise £10k in 30 days to make this possible.
Thanks to Amika and the campaign's work, 2018 saw incredible progress in some areas of the UK. Scotland’s government has become the first national government in the world to provide free access to menstrual products in all schools, colleges and universities. The Welsh government has also made positive changes, pledging £1m to address the issue.
However, in England, where the first Free Periods protest in December 2017 saw two thousand people gather at Downing Street against period poverty, no policies have been put in place.
This is despite the fact that in the UK, 49% of girls have missed an entire day of school because of their period. In London alone, 80,000 women and girls are affected by period poverty. Free Periods have teamed up with Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Lina Plioplyte to create a film highlighting the issue (below), which features ten girls from schools in London.
In their new campaign, Free Periods are working with the Red Box project, which provides free period products to schools, and are being advised on the legal aspects of the campaign by top law firm. Hausfeld & Co.
£10,000 has to be collected in the next 30 days in order for any of the pledges made to be collected. Donations can be made through the Crowdfunder.
Marie Claire spoke exclusively to Amika, who told us, ‘I'm really disappointed that the government hasn't yet taken any meaningful action on period poverty, despite all the reports and research showing how detrimental it is to a child's education. I'm partnering with the Red Box Project and Pink Protest to launch this legal case to make sure that no child misses school because of their period. No child should be stressed about where their next pad or tampon comes from.’
Let’s make sure that in 2019, period poverty becomes a thing of the past.
