No woman should miss out on education because of period poverty

Reports in The Independent this morning that Daisy Wakefield, a student at the Univeristy of the West of England spent her entire student loan on sanitary products to distribute to poorer students, has reignited calls to end period poverty.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons last month calling on the Government to extend its policy on free sanitary products to primary schools, colleges, universities and NHS GP surgeries.

Commenting on Daisy’s campaign for the University of the West of England to supply sanitary products to students, Layla Moran said: 

“It is appalling that students and campaigners such as Daisy Wakefield are having to take matters into their own hands to ensure that no woman misses out on education because of period poverty.

“It is time the Conservative Government act to bring an end to this injustice. The promised provision of sanitary products in secondary schools must be expanded to include primary schools, colleges and universities.

“Liberal Democrats have been fighting for over two years to end period poverty. No one should have to sacrifice any aspect of their education because of something as natural as their period.”

That this House welcomes the Government’s commitment to roll out free sanitary products across NHS hospitals and secondary schools in England; notes however that periods may start as early as 8 years old; is appalled that pupils in England are missing time in school, college and university because of a lack of access to sanitary products; is alarmed at reports that 40 per cent of girls in the UK have used toilet roll because they couldn’t afford menstrual products; and calls on the Government to expand its commitment to include primary schools, colleges, universities and NHS GP surgeries in England