Councillors: This is just the start of our journey
Sanitary towels will be available in council schools
Jack Thomson
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lynsey.gair@reachplc.com kirsteen.brown@trinitymirror.com 0141 309 4312 Jack Thomson Local Democracy Reporter
The rollout of free sanitary towels in Renfrewshire schools is just the beginning in the fight against period poverty, according to two Labour councillors.
With the start of the new term, all council school premises were provided with the products so they could be made available to girls free of charge.
The move comes after a motion last September, tabled by Councillor Karen Kennedy and seconded by Councillor Alison Dowling, asked council to “take necessary action to provide free sanitary products” in local schools.
Renfrewshire Council will now also install sanitary vending machines in girls’ toilet blocks in primary, secondary and additional support needs schools from the end of October.
However, for Councillors Kennedy and Dowling, this is just the start of the story as they look to see sanitary towels in public toilets, council buildings and GP surgeries across Renfrewshire.
Councillor Dowling, who represents Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, said: “It’s a journey we’ve been on with this issue.
“But it’s only been the last few years that there’s been a public acceptance, talking about this as an issue, that we’ve been able to take this forward as a campaign and call it what it is - period poverty.
“It’s been a long road to get to the point that we have got enough public support to address period poverty and the stigma attached to it. “This is not the end of the story. “The next step is to see if we can get this rolled out across the whole of Renfrewshire.”
Paisley Northwest Councillor Kennedy admitted she had been shocked by some of the stories of period poverty in her ward.
She said: “Girls are missing school because they don’t have the sanitary products to function during the day.
“Girls are not able to go to school because they’re having their period, which just shouldn’t happen.
“Some girls’ family lifestyles are that chaotic they can’t approach their mum and say they’re on their period and need sanitary towels.”
Councillor Dowling said situations can arise where young women are facing a choice between funding sanitary towels or feeding themselves.
She added: “Most women experience periods throughout their life and period poverty is something that unfortunately a lot of women and girls experience in their lives.
“It’s one of the few things that you are pretty much left to get on with on your own. If you have few financial options then you could be in a position where you are choosing between eating and hygiene.”
Renfrewshire followed the lead of North Ayrshire Council, which has already pressed ahead with plans to offer sanitary products in schools, colleges, universities and foodbanks.
Councillor Dowling added: “I would like to see it rolled out into colleges and universities as well.
“We are delighted to see that it’s up and running.”