Free period products ‘not reaching those who need them’, campaigner says
Molly Fenton, founder of Love your period says help from Government level isn't always reaching those on the ground
A campaigner has warned that free period products in Welsh schools are not always reaching the people who need them, despite a Welsh Government commitment to tackle period poverty.
The government says its Period Dignity Grant ensures products are available in every school in Wales, as well as community venues including foodbanks, libraries and leisure centres.
But Molly Fenton, founder of Love Your Period, says awareness and access remain significant problems.
“If people don’t know, they don’t access. If they don’t access, the scheme is seen as unnecessary or ineffective,” she said.
She said people had reported products being kept in locked cupboards, limited product choices and schools or community hubs running out of supplies.
The campaign also said many people were still surprised to learn that free products should be available in schools, despite the scheme having been introduced in 2019.
“We need a whole education piece so that teachers are aware, parents are aware, the public are aware, and so on,” Ms Fenton said.
The Welsh Government said it wanted to reduce stigma around periods and build a “Period Proud Wales”.
Campaigners welcomed the progress but said more needed to be done to ensure policies translated into accessible support.
“The first step is listen, ask the questions, and learn,” Ms Fenton said.