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Response to Girlguiding’s new period poverty badge

Response to Girlguiding’s new period poverty badge

Lucy Russell, Head of Girls’ Rights and Youth at Plan International UK, said: “Girlguiding’s new Period Poverty badge is a welcome addition to the growing effort to end poverty and stigma around menstruation. It’s a fantastic way to put periods in a positive light for girls, and get them talking about a subject they may otherwise find embarrassing. And it’s great they’ll be learning about how period poverty affects girls in other parts of the world too.

“A toxic trio of high-cost menstrual products, lack of education and shame and stigma around periods is causing the period poverty crisis that has been uncovered here in the UK. We’ve found that girls are using toilet roll in place of menstrual products, missing days of school when on their period and feel too embarrassed to see a doctor with unusual symptoms, putting their health at risk.

“This simply cannot continue. We need to see real investment - not just in free products for girls who are struggling to afford them, but in education and support that will listen to girls’ needs and address the root causes of period poverty once and for all.”