Make all sanitary products for women free
The Issue
Every month, like clockwork, millions of women face the inevitable choice: pay for essential menstrual products or compromise on their daily essentials. As a woman navigating through life, I've always found it perplexing and unjust that something as fundamental as menstrual hygiene products comes with an unnecessary financial burden. It shouldn't cost anything; it should be a free necessity.
Menstrual products are not luxury items; they are vital for women's health and dignity. Despite recent advancements in recognising period poverty, a report from Plan International UK in 2021 revealed that one in ten girls couldn't afford menstrual products, and nearly half of them have missed a day of school due to their period. This is not just a health issue; it’s an issue of gender equality and dignity.
Around the world, nations are waking up to this reality. Scotland made history in 2020 by becoming the first country to provide free sanitary products for all who need them. New Zealand followed suit by offering these products free in schools. The UK should acknowledge the reality of period poverty and take robust action to eliminate it, making these essential items freely accessible to all women, regardless of their socio-economic background.
On average, women in the UK spend thousands of pounds over their reproductive lifetime on sanitary products. This is an unnecessary expense that taxes an unavoidable biological function. By making these products free, we would not only be alleviating the financial burden but also affirming that menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege.
We urge the government to allocate funding to cover the costs of manufacturing and distributing free sanitary products in all shops, including supermarkets and pharmacies. This initiative would require a collaborative effort between policymakers, health organisations, and retailers, but it is realistic, achievable, and essential.
Please join me in signing this petition to urge those in power to ensure that all women in the UK have access to free sanitary products in every shop. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of women and take a significant step toward gender equality.
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The Issue
Every month, like clockwork, millions of women face the inevitable choice: pay for essential menstrual products or compromise on their daily essentials. As a woman navigating through life, I've always found it perplexing and unjust that something as fundamental as menstrual hygiene products comes with an unnecessary financial burden. It shouldn't cost anything; it should be a free necessity.
Menstrual products are not luxury items; they are vital for women's health and dignity. Despite recent advancements in recognising period poverty, a report from Plan International UK in 2021 revealed that one in ten girls couldn't afford menstrual products, and nearly half of them have missed a day of school due to their period. This is not just a health issue; it’s an issue of gender equality and dignity.
Around the world, nations are waking up to this reality. Scotland made history in 2020 by becoming the first country to provide free sanitary products for all who need them. New Zealand followed suit by offering these products free in schools. The UK should acknowledge the reality of period poverty and take robust action to eliminate it, making these essential items freely accessible to all women, regardless of their socio-economic background.
On average, women in the UK spend thousands of pounds over their reproductive lifetime on sanitary products. This is an unnecessary expense that taxes an unavoidable biological function. By making these products free, we would not only be alleviating the financial burden but also affirming that menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege.
We urge the government to allocate funding to cover the costs of manufacturing and distributing free sanitary products in all shops, including supermarkets and pharmacies. This initiative would require a collaborative effort between policymakers, health organisations, and retailers, but it is realistic, achievable, and essential.
Please join me in signing this petition to urge those in power to ensure that all women in the UK have access to free sanitary products in every shop. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of women and take a significant step toward gender equality.
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Petition created on 29 August 2026