ALESHA LET’S END PERIOD POVERTY
ALESHA DIXON ON OUTDATED ATTITUDE TO SANITARY PRODUCTS
WHEN asked where 137,700 schoolgirls regularly missed school due to not being able to afford sanitary items, chances are you’d guess almost any country other than the UK.
Period poverty is a huge problem that just isn’t being spoken about – and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon wants to change that.
The singer, 39, said: “Hearing the statistics is quite shocking.
“Thinking about young girls and their wellbeing at school struck a chord with me.”
That’s why she’s partnered with Always and the brand’s #EndPeriodPoverty campaign. We sat down with Alesha to talk a bit about the issue and how it can affect the lives of young women.
THE TABOO AROUND PERIODS
There is such a stigma around periods and people tend to shy away from talking about it. This is quite possibly down to the fact we live in a largely patriarchal society – and as men aren’t physically affected by periods, it’s not such a hot topic in the mainstream.
“As girls, we don’t particularly like to talk about periods, it’s not the most glamorous subject,” Alesha said. “But there’s something quite cool about normalising it and speaking about it in a light-hearted manner – it doesn’t always have to be so serious.”
Attitudes definitely are changing. Alesha added: “My nan’s generation were brought up in a time when children were expected to keep quiet and not discuss personal things like periods. We now live in a time where sharing is normal – in fact we probably over-share – and that can be a really positive thing if it’s used in the right way.”
Period poverty has been around for as long as we’ve had pads and tampons, and yet it’s only really been talked about in the last few years – largely because people like Alesha are breaking the taboo and talking openly about menstruation. Despite being a totally normal biological process, periods have historically been linked with shame. “I’ve been speaking to a lot of girls at schools who say they’re embarrassed and don’t want the boys to mock them.
“Some don’t even like carrying sanitary products in their rucksacks because the boys laugh when they see them,” said Alesha. “It’s very juvenile but it’s just a fact.
“It’s about bringing the boys into the conversation, because they need to be more sensitive and empathetic towards girls. This will help normalise it for them too.” Period poverty can have far wider reaching effects than embarrassing teenage girls. “We’re seeing a ripple effect,” explained Alesha. “It can lead to depression and confidence issues, which then has an effect on career choices and what you do with the rest of your life.”
“You can only imagine what it’s like for a girl who has to skip school – they become vulnerable and maybe end up being bullied. This can snowball into a lack of interest in their education, the after-effects of which are quite devastating. Some girls end up being homeless, and to even further extremes, some end up taking their own life. It’s a hard-hitting subject but it’s really good to be talking about it.”
WHAT CAN BE DONE
“A lot of people are embarrassed, so are suffering alone and in silence,” said Alesha. “If people are encouraged to ask for help and speak out, that would be brilliant.”
She thinks the education system should change. “When you’re at school, all the focus is on your grades,” she said. “But if we want young girls to leave school wellrounded human beings, we have to pay attention to their mental state as well as the academic side of things.
“This issue affects people who are struggling. In the same respect you can get free school meals if you’re from a low income family, why can’t we put something in place for period poverty? I can’t believe that isn’t the norm.” For girls affected, Alesha said: “Hold your head up high, and if a boy sees a sanitary product in your bag you should just tell him: ‘If it wasn’t for a period you wouldn’t be here, so get over it and grow up’.
“There’s a way young girls can take control of it in a more ballsy, confident way, rather than being vulnerable, shy and embarrassed.” ●Alesha Dixon is supporting Always’ #EndPeriodPoverty campaign.
For every pack sold by September 16, Always will donate a pad to schoolgirls in need.
As girls, we don’t like to talk about periods. It’s not the most glamorous subject