Friday 29-09-2017 - 14:14

 

The impacts that restricted access to sanitary products may have to students and staff who menstruate are substantial. Not only are individuals influenced financially, but their education, and health are also at risk.

That’s why I believe that FREE access to sanitary products are a basic human right, and so no one should need to make the decision between access to these vital products, and other expenses students often occur such as paying for travel to class, food, or even textbooks.

We provide free access to other sanitation products in public establishments like toilet roll, hand soap and even bins to dispose of our sanitary products in, with the view of promoting healthy and hygienic environments, so why not sanitary products?

Reports have shown that across the UK many are unable to attend education as they cannot afford to purchase sanitary items. In many cases, it has been the role of volunteer groups, food banks, and in some circumstances their educators who have taken the initiative to provide products to enable students to attend their classes. It is unacceptable that a section of the population has been excluded from their basic right to an education for any length of time for undergoing a natural bodily function.

Research within this area suggests that an individual will spend £18,450 throughout the course of their life on sanitary products. To place this into context within studies at GCU, if students and staff alike did not have to incur this expense throughout their lifetime, they would on average be able to afford an additional 10.137 years of undergraduate education.

Those impacted by a lack of accessibility to sanitary products will also be influenced within their general wellbeing and health. A report produced by Water Aid notes that poor menstrual hygiene (as seen when sanitary products are absent, and rags or towels are used as a substitute), may lead to a higher risk of various vaginal infections; such as Candidiasis. Additionally, health impacts can arise from using sanitary products for longer than the recommended periods of time. One such example of this would be in the case of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a life threatening condition which can be caused through the over-use of Tampons beyond their recommended times.  It has been estimated that up to 70% of the reproductive diseases are being facilitated by poor menstrual hygiene.

The need for this initiative to be instated widely across Scotland has been demonstrated by reports produced by various charities; including Barnardo’s, who have identified that period poverty is an ongoing issue within their services, with individuals often accessing their facilities to obtain sanitary products as they are unable to purchase these.

Projects have also been established at other Scottish institutions, such as South Lanarkshire College, who gained national coverage due to their equality scheme, in which the college installed free dispensing machines on campus, for use of both students and staff.

It’s due to all information above that I’ve been working to have policy introduced which will make sanitary products freely available to any student or staff member across the GCU Glasgow Campus. 

Glasgow Caledonian University’s values and policies specifically reference the need to create an accessible, safe learning environment for all, where individuals can feel respected and valued, and I feel this initiative would work towards upholding these values.

My proposal is currently supported by recent discussions within Scottish Parliament, where I attended a consultation to deliberate the proposition for a bill to facilitate free access to Sanitary Products in ALL education institutes in Scotland.

Regarding current provisions for GCU Students, our Women’s Liberation Group at GCUSA currently have a select number of products available in the second floor of the student’s association.

 

By Rachel Simpson

Vice President GSBS

 

Want to know more about this issue? I’ve put together some starter reading articles which have been mentioned in the text above, just pop the titles into google:

1. “Girl ‘too poor’ to buy sanitary protection missing school”
2. “Girls from poorer families in England struggle to afford sanitary protection”
3. “Provide Free Sanitary Products in UK Schools”
4.  “Women Spend More Than £18,000 On Having Periods In Their Lifetime, Study Reveals”
5. GCU Undergraduate Tuition Fees
6. Menstrual Hygiene Matters
7. “We need to talk about periods: why is menstruation still holding girls back?”
8. “’Menstrual equity’: Free tampons for New York City schools and jails”
9. Barnardo’s Scotland Briefing for Members Debate on Feminine Hygiene Products
10. “Students and Staff at South Lanarkshire College will get free sanitary products as part of an equality scheme”
11. Glasgow Caledonian University: Equality Outcomes 2017-2021
12. NHS Choices: Toxic Shock Syndrome