Campaign aims to end stigma around periods

A new campaign is underway in North Lanarkshire to promote free period products for whoever needs them and to try to end the stigma around periods being a taboo topic.

Working with partner groups, the council hopes to continue rolling out the products to as many public places as possible, so that people feel more confident going in and taking them.

Councillor Heather Brannanmcvey, equalities champion, told the Advertiser that “normalising” discussions around periods can be “so beneficial”.

She added: “And that’s not just for people who menstruate, but for their friends and relatives who are maybe uneducated on the topic and feel uncomfortable discussing it.

“It’s not something to be ashamed about and having open conversations can help to make it a less difficult topic, especially when it comes to younger people.”

To help with this, one of the council’s suppliers of period products, Hey Girls, has developed leaflets and resources about first periods that will be available in primary and secondary schools in North Lanarkshire.

An interactive online map has also been created to help people find free period products near to them.

Councillor Brannan-mcvey added: “Throughout lockdown and beyond, our hard-working staff and volunteers set up an interactive online service to make it easier to find free period products, and even delivered them in-person to those who were shielding.

“The council’s period dignity campaign began long before the law was passed last year, and now with public spaces opening again, the team hope to expand the provision of free period products and end the stigma of embarrassment around them.

“You can find out more about this much-needed initiative on the council website.

“By entering your postcode on the interactive map, you’ll be able to see exactly where period products can be collected near you - completely free of charge.

“You don’t even need to be using the facility they’re in, such as health centres, leisure centres or libraries.”

Normalising discussions Councillor Heather Brannan-mcvey (left) and Rosalyn Griffith from the council’s community partnership team