Molly’s a class act in battle to end the stigma
ONE battle to end period poverty began in a classroom – and education is also at the root of a charity’s bid to get free sanitary products out there.
At 17, A-level pupil Molly Fenton founded the Love Your Period Campaign in Cardiff. With the support of her teachers she set up a club at her school and gave talks to various year groups.
Now 19, she’s aiming to end period poverty and stigma for school pupils all over Wales.
She said: “So much more needs to be done, and there is no reason why England and Wales shouldn’t be brought in line with Scotland by making period products free - we need to go so much further than where we are.
“There is still such a huge unnecessary stigma around periods, but period products are a basic need. Making them free is common sense.”
Meanwhile, charity Bloody Good Period supplies products to those in need and works to fight period stigma through education.
There has been a 78% increase in demand for its products in 2022, with chief Rachel Grocott saying it will only continue to grow as the UK endures a cost-ofliving crisis. “We get so many requests from NHS workers asking for our products because they can’t make ends meet,” said Rachel.
“The pandemic made things extremely difficult, and it’s only going to get worse.
“The law must be changed to ensure that period products are free for anyone who needs them.”