Councillors pass motion to tackle ‘period poverty’

Councillors voted unanimously to provide a range of free, safe and suitable sanitary products in all public buildings, at a meeting of Meath County Council last week.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga proposed the motion which she said aimed to tackle period poverty, de-stigmatise and normalise menstruation for women and girls in Meath, and help remove the embarrassment and shame associated with it by enabling access to adequate hygiene products in public buildings in the County.

“I am delighted that this motion was passed unanimously. “Period poverty is a real issue for women and girls, and the women and girls of Meath are no exception.”

Cllr Adenuga pointed out the United Nations states that lack of menstrual health management, and stigma associated with menstruation, have a negative impact on gender equality and women's and girls' enjoyment of human rights, including the right to education and the right to health.

“While a woman’s period might be normally expected once every month, I cannot begin to share how many times women and girls have had their periods start at unexpected times, in the most unexpected places, and have been left embarrassed and ashamed.

“Having period products in our public and council buildings will enable girls and women, who go to places like the library to study or read, feel confident that they do not have to panic if, and when, their period shows up unexpectedly.

“Women and girls in period poverty, and those who are stuck when the period unexpectedly flows, resort to unsuitable options such as toilet paper, newspaper, and even unwashed clothing.

“Girls and young women who suffer shame and embarrassment surrounding their period are more likely to use unsuitable options rather than approach someone in the library, swimming pool or even the council building.”

Council officials pointed out the current Programme for Government has committed to providing a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable period products in all publicly funded educational settings in Ireland.

A working group has been established to examine the extent of period poverty and those at risk.

“Following the publication of this report and if the Department of Health proposes to introduce a scheme to provide a range of suitable sanitary products for free at various locations and requests the Council to facilitate this scheme through the use of some of the public buildings, the Council will consider this request at that time,” the meeting was told.

Cllr Adenuga doesn't agree with the council waiting for the publication of the national report before considering her request.

“It appears that Meath County would be waiting until it was obliged to make these products available. I do not believe that this should be the approach of the council. The council should not always have to wait for a national decision before we do what is right and needed for the people of Meath.

“Many councils around the country have brought a similar motion forward to highlight period poverty and are providing free sanitary products in council buildings and civic amenities.”

Cllr Noel French said a survey by Plan International Ireland in 2018 suggested that more than 50 per cent of Irish girls aged 12-19 have experienced issues around the affordability of sanitary products.

“Period poverty is a very real problem issue for women in low-income households. We have a responsibility to break down the stigma around periods and tackling period poverty. Young girls should not be missing school once a month because they just can’t afford sanitary protection. Scotland provides free sanitary products in all schools and colleges.

“So while the answer suggests the government are considering the provision of suitable products in educational settings, this motion proposes that all public buildings be also included including the council’s own buildings,” he said.

This week, Lidl Ireland said it will start providing free boxes of sanitary pads or tampons to girls and women as part of a new programme targeting period poverty.

The major retailer announced on Monday the launch of a new coupon scheme that will enable girls and women in Ireland to access free sanitary products using the Lidl Plus app each month.

From April 19th, women will be able to sign up to receive the monthly coupon which they can use from May 3rd in 168 stores nationwide, said the retailer. This latest move makes Lidl the “first major retailer in the world” to offer free period products in stores, the company has said.