Students in Cardiff should be receiving essential period products from their schools to help them make it through the summer holidays - but a recent survey from a campaigner shows that 97% haven't received anything. Molly Fenton, who runs the Love Your Period campaign, sent out a survey to students and parents across Cardiff and has so far received more than 700 responses indicating that supplies haven't been received.
The products were distributed to schools by Cardiff Council as part of the Welsh Government-funded period dignity campaign, which includes a grant of more than £3.7m to ensure pupils have access to period products. The grant was increased this year by £450,000 due to the cost of living crisis.
Molly said: "Period poverty has such a serious effect on someone in every aspect of their life. There's a risk of infection due to poor hygiene but also a mental effect which can take a whole week out of someone's holiday.
Read more: Period poverty in UK leading some women to raid public toilets for paper
"With prices going up, it really is a waste if the products are all sat in cupboards in schools. They've spent a lot of money and they're locked away in cupboards. With the cost of living crisis it will be a lot worse. Period poverty levels have risen during the pandemic and now it will be even more of an issue - even more pupils and parents this summer will be unable to afford products than any other summer ever."
The survey was completely anonymous but has received responses from students and parents at a number of schools in the Cardiff area. Molly said the lack of products going out feels like a "lack of will" from schools and from Cardiff Council, who she said should be pushing schools to ensure the resources are given out.
Molly added: "Everyone's tired and everyone has a lot to do. When it comes to children's health and safety, it has to be a priority. A lot of teachers have said to me that they don't feel they have enough guidance from the council. Why isn't this guidance going out four years into the scheme?"
Molly spends her time going in to schools and speaking to young people about what support they need for their periods. She said: "The response is that they're never allowed to go to the toilet when they need to. One person said she had to go home because she leaked and she was completely humiliated - she said the school wasn't able to help, but the schools have the products that they're given."
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "Addressing period dignity remains a priority for Cardiff Council and as part of our period dignity programme, a number of schemes are delivered in schools to help relieve period poverty in our communities and tackle stigma, ensuring that those pupils who require period products, have access to them all year round.
"This includes providing schools with a wide range of products for use during term-time, exam time and school holidays, delivery of educational workshops such as the benefits of reusable and sustainable products and the administration of financial support, so that those pupils in Years 7-13 and eligible for Free School Meals, are issued with a voucher so that period products can be purchased during school holidays. In addition to this, schools have been given the provision to purchase underwear, tights, trousers and skirts should a pupil need to access clean clothing.
"Our dedicated team provide guidance to schools on how best to distribute products to pupils and we will continue to work closely with schools from the new term to ensure efficient delivery, making products easily accessible as well as advising schools of the opportunities available to them to help promote period equality in line with Cardiff’s ambition of becoming a UNICEF UK Child Friendly City where the views and priorities of children are at the heart of everything we do."
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government, which created the period dignity scheme, said: "We fully support Molly’s work in tackling period poverty and have been working with her as we draft our Period Proud Action Plan to address the very important issues she has raised. We have increased our period dignity grant by £450,000 this year and have issued guidance to local authorities about how the money should benefit those who need it. As Molly says, it is essential that period products are available to those who need them over the summer.
"We are also developing additional guidance in the upcoming Period Proud Action Plan outlining practical support around period dignity and highlighting best practice and innovation."
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