OUR DEMANDS TO END PERIOD POVERTY

All state schools, colleges and educational organisations for 16 to 18-year-olds must make a range of period products available for free in their toilets

The Government must have the power to make publicly funded bodies, including hospitals, art galleries, museums, youth and community centres, police stations, GP surgeries and libraries, provide period products for free in toilets

A mobile app must be launched to allow users to identify locations across England and Wales where period products can be accessed for free

The period product scheme launched by the Government earlier this year must be expanded to include all girls under the age of 16 and all people at the point of need

Labour MP for Walthamstow Ms Creasy said: “Women and girls in England and Wales should not have to suffer the indignity of period poverty – finding that you cannot access the tampons or towels you need to manage menstruation.

“Providing these items, as we do toilet paper and washing facilities in public loos, is part of

treating every citizen with dignity. The Scottish laws have led the way, and it’s time for England and Wales to follow.”

Last month, Scotland became the first country in the world to make sanitary products available free of charge to all women and girls.

Under the new Period Products Act, it is now a legal duty for local authorities to provide items such as tampons and sanitary pads free to “anyone who needs them”.

Plan International UK’s

CEO Rose Caldwell said: “It is devastating that so many young people in the UK are not able to afford the period products they need.

We must commit to ensuring that everyone who needs them gets easy free access to products, receives timely education on periods and feels able to talk about the issues they are facing without any fear of shame or stigma.”