Comment on barring the sale of sanitary products in a Welsh Tesco store

Jane Clancey, Director of Communications, Advocacy and UK Programmes at Plan International UK, says “We are extremely concerned about reports that period products are not being deemed an 'essential' item in every store under the latest Welsh lockdown. While it’s good to hear this will now be addressed, it’s yet another stark example of periods being misunderstood and overlooked. We must be clear – period products are as essential as toilet roll.  

“Sadly, this is not a new issue. During the UK-wide lockdown earlier this year, our research showed that three in ten girls struggled to afford or access period products, and over half (54%) of these girls resorted to using toilet paper as an alternative.  

“As lockdowns continue to be enforced and we look to an uncertain future, many more families will face tough financial choices, and more young women than ever are likely to face issues accessing the products they need. We must commit to ensuring they are supported with unrestricted access to products, receive timely education on periods and feel able to talk about the issues they face without fear of shame or stigma.”