Let’s get one thing straight: periods are normal. Period products? Essential. So why are thousands of people in the UK still forced to choose between buying pads or paying for food?
That’s period poverty - and yes, it’s happening here, not just in faraway headlines.
At WUKA, we’re loud about it because it shouldn’t be a thing in 2026. No one should miss school, skip work, or stay home because they can’t afford the basic tools to manage a totally normal body function.
Let’s break it down: what period poverty really means, why it still exists, and how we can fight it - together.
What is period poverty?
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, education about periods, or proper sanitation to manage menstruation safely and with dignity.
And it’s not just about pads and tampons - it’s about missing out on life because of something as basic as your period.
What the numbers say
It’s easy to assume this isn’t a “UK problem.” But the stats tell a different story:
- 1 in 10 girls in the UK can’t afford period products, according to Plan UK.
- Nearly half of girls aged 14-21 feel embarrassed by their period - and 1 in 7 have missed school because of it (Plan UK).
- 1 in 3 young people aged 14-21 have struggled to afford or access period products during the cost-of-living crisis, according to ActionAid UK.
That’s not just wrong. That’s dangerous. Because period poverty isn’t just inconvenient -it affects education, mental health, dignity, and self-worth.
Who’s affected by period poverty?
Period poverty disproportionately affects:
- Students (especially in low-income areas)
- People in insecure housing or homelessness
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- LGBTQ+ youth who may not have supportive families
- Anyone impacted by the cost-of-living crisis
And it doesn’t magically disappear once someone hits adulthood. People miss work shifts, ration pads, or use unsafe alternatives like socks, tissue, or even newspaper.
Why isn’t this “fixed” yet?
The UK abolished the tampon tax in 2021 - which was a big win. But removing a tax doesn’t remove the financial burden altogether.
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, £4 on pads is £4 too much. And while free period products are available in schools and some public spaces, access is still patchy, underfunded, and not always inclusive of reusable options.
What you can do about it
You don’t need to be an MP or a millionaire to fight period poverty. You just need to care - and take action. Here’s how:
1. Talk about it
Break the silence. Period poverty thrives in shame and silence. The more we talk, the more we shift culture.
2. Donate
Support organisations tackling period poverty head-on. A few doing brilliant work:
- Bloody Good Period – supplies period products to refugees, food banks, and asylum seekers.
- Freedom4Girls – supports people facing period poverty in the UK and abroad.
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ActionAid UK – runs campaigns and services to fight period poverty globally.
3. Support sustainable period care
Investing in reusable period products (like WUKA period pants) can reduce long‑term costs and environmental impact. And access matters too - that’s why WUKA successfully campaigned to scrap VAT on period pants, recognising them as essential period care, not a luxury. Because no one should pay extra just to manage a period.
4. Challenge stigma
Periods aren’t gross. They aren’t shameful. They’re not a “women’s issue.” They're a human issue - and so is access to safe, dignified care.
Use correct language. Say “period.” Support trans and nonbinary people who menstruate. Make your home, workplace or school period-friendly.
Final thoughts
Period poverty isn’t about pity. It’s about power. And dignity. And saying: your body shouldn’t cost you your education, your confidence, or your freedom.
So let’s stay loud. Let’s challenge systems. Let’s donate when we can, speak up always, and never stop asking: why is this still happening - and what can we do next?
Related Posts
Let’s Talk About Period Poverty
The Move Towards Ending Period Poverty
WUKA Teen Stretch Tackles Period Poverty