Issue - meetings

On a motion from Councillor Liz Hardman, seconded by Councillor Karen Warrington, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously) that

Council notes that:

1.  A survey by girls’ rights charity Plan International UK found that:

•  one in ten girls in the UK are unable to afford sanitary products;

•  one in seven girls have also struggled to afford sanitary products;

•  one in seven girls have had to ask to borrow sanitary wear from a friend due to affordability issues;

•  more than one in ten girls has had to improvise sanitary wear due to affordability issues; and

•  one in five girls have changed to a less suitable sanitary product due to cost.

2.  A January 2018 report also by Plan International UK Break the Barriers: Girls’ Experiences of Menstruation in the UK found that periods are surrounded by shame and stigma.  48% of girls feel embarrassed by their periods rising to 56% of 14 year olds.

3.  A number of different approaches are being taken to address period poverty including the Red Box Project which provides sanitary products in schools.  Brook, in partnership with Plan International UK is piloting a P-Card scheme which will provide free period products, education and information to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

4.  Safe disposal of menstrual products poses an increasing environmental problem.  Some packs of single-use pads have the equivalent of four carrier bags worth of plastic in them which takes centuries to biodegrade and releases toxic gases if burnt.

5.  Research by Anglia Water found that nearly half of women flush tampons and consider this a normal method of disposal.  This can lead to blocked sewers and polluted rivers and oceans.

6.  B&NES MYP, Hannah Powell, has said that many teenage girls would love to try menstrual cups because they are so much better for the environment, but the cost can be prohibitive.

7.  That from this summer, the NHS will offer hospital patients free sanitary products in order to tackle period poverty.

This Council believes that:

8.  Talking about periods and ending the taboos that surround them, means that we can better equip every girl with the products and information she needs to manage her periods effectively without shame, stigma or embarrassment. 

9.  Addressing period poverty should also involve education so that girls understand what is available and the environmental impact of disposable products.  Reusable menstrual products, as well as being better for the environment, by their very nature help to address period poverty in a sustainable and long-lasting way.  However, they will not be suitable for everyone and it is important that girls have a choice of products.

10.The development of alternatives to the non-biodegradable plastic elements of disposable sanitary products and packaging should be a priority for manufacturers.

11.Individual councillors as public figures and community leaders, have a responsibility to take a lead in opening up the debate about periods so that we can begin to address the shame and stigma felt by so many girls and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85