Report on period poverty is a welcome step for Government to act upon affordability, access and education

A report examining the impact of period poverty in Ireland is a welcome step in recognising issues around affordability, access and education before legislation is implemented, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney said the report published today demonstrates that period poverty is a serious issue in terms of women’s health and gender equality. Action which goes beyond the basic need for period products in order to eliminate period poverty is also required.

Senator Seery-Kearney said, “Menstruation is an absolute necessity in the very existence of our species and yet we hesitate in speaking about it.

“This report suggests that there could be 53,000 – 85,000 women and girls who may be at risk of period poverty, and that high-risk groups include those experiencing homelessness and/or active addiction.

“I have worked for years at a local level to secure funding for the provision and distribution of period products to food banks, women’s groups and have worked with individuals who distribute products to direct provision and women’s refuges. I have long been aware of issues around period poverty and ways to address it.

“There are many adverse consequences to period poverty, which includes exclusion from activities of daily living during menstruation and physical and mental impacts from both exclusion and the use of unsuitable period products, which is unacceptable.

“The report highlights the need for education and for a comprehensive addressing of the issue of stigma around menstruation.

“The need for education is evidenced by a recent survey I conducted which found 1% of respondents do not believe that period poverty is real and 20% have never experienced it, with one respondent saying she is obliged to make the choice between feeding herself or having proper period products.

“I believe this is a comprehensive report which provides a pathway for consideration of all of the necessary steps to true period poverty alleviation. It also addresses the fact that funding may be required to address period poverty in a co-ordinated way across Government and the wider public sector.

“The recommendations take account of the various considerations such as stigma, culture, education and appropriate provision, I believe they need to be engaged with so that we can ensure that we address period poverty in the most comprehensive way possible,” Senator Seery-Kearney concluded.