Girls who cannot afford sanitary products are missing school, according to the charity Freedom4Girls.
It was contacted by a school in Leeds concerned about teenage girls’ attendance, with one student taping toilet roll to her underwear and missing school every month due to their period.
Tina Leslie, a public health worker in Leeds and part of Freedom4Girls, said the charity sent sample packs to the school after being contacted by the teacher . She admitted that it was “not a sustainable solution”.
Leslie added that it wasn’t surprising, however, as it was linked to poverty. She noted 25,000 visits to food banks just in Leeds last year. Leslie said it was unclear how many girls were in this situation in the UK, and more research was needed.
We are keen to hear from teachers and charity workers about this. Have you bought sanitary protection for students? Or have you contacted a local charity about this? What else have you bought for students? Have you seen children turn up without proper lunches, clothes or equipment? Help us build a picture of child poverty across the UK and some of the challenges young people now face. Share your stories with us in the form below.
