Maybe it's the time of year, maybe it's the fact that when we were out of hot water and heating last week, the one saving grace I kept thinking about was that I wasn't having a period. It would have just added extra 'God REALLY?' to the situation.
During that time I did a lot of research on the homeless and simple ways in which we can all help.
In amongst the 12 Days of Giveaways (yes, they're coming) this year, you will find the odd mention of charities/organisations trying to aid those in need.
The Homeless Period has been set up to petition the government to provide sanitary items in homeless shelters, the way they currently provide condoms.
You can take part by either signing the petition, or donating, or both.
thehomelessperiod.com
Thank you for this. It seems like an extremely worthwhile cause.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant campaign, Lady H. As the case study says, if homeless men can be give a razor...
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, i've long supported the charity shelter and this seems like a great addition. Though i have to admit i'm not entirely sure our "enlightened" government will take it up considering recent vents, it's certainly a worthwhile cause though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I bought a menstrual cup in August (best decision I ever made, get one ladies, it's better for the environment and better for your intimate health), and all the boxes of Tampax and pads were no use to me any longer. My partner and I live off one person's benefits, so I can't afford to buy anything I don't need and give it to others. But thanks to that menstrual cup, I was able to divide the tampons and pads equally into half a dozen zip-lock bags which I now carry in my handbag/backpack whenever I go into town to hand out to any homeless women I may see. Honestly, the smiles on their faces are priceless. One woman told me she just had to stuff her pants with toilet paper every month. I'm of the opinion that menstrual cups, tampons, pads should be available for free for every woman, but for homeless women's especially it's a no brainer. Wonderful charity, Caroline.
ReplyDeleteThere is a solution for homeless (and other) women out there with issues like this; menstrual cups! They are fenomenal! Cheap, reusable, lasts for 10 years or more, much better for your vagina (no more hot, plastic, humid pads or tampons, bye bye yeast infections), safe to wear through the night and super portable. I wish more people knew about the benefits and not felt disgusted by the name of it, since it's actually much more hygienic than the other options. And I wish all shelters had them to hand out! <3
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely cause to draw attention to and one I think often forgotten! I definitely have some I could donate!
ReplyDeleteI'm another supporter of the menstrual cup! Tampons always used to let me down so I ended up using pads but always felt disgusting. I watched a programme some years ago which showed the impact of so many menstrual products ending up in landfill and felt so guilty but didn't realise there was another option. When at a music festival I saw an advert for the moon cup on the back of the toilet stall door, I bought one and have never looked back since. I feel so much cleaner, it is no hassle at all and I can go about my day often forgetting that I'm even on my period, plus it has taken the monetary cost of simply being female out of the equation.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be such a wonderful thing to offer menstrual cups to homeless women, it would make such a huge impact on their quality of life and from a government cost point of view they only need to buy one for every woman.
Thank you for raising this issue, I feel terrible that I had never even considered how awful it would be for a homeless woman to have her period when for many women with a home, toilet and hot running water on demand it's often not a pleasant experience.
Thanks Caroline, for using your reach to bring this sad situation to light. I've been in this situation a number of times and it F*%#ING sucks! To be so poor when stealing tampons or stuffing your knickers with toilet paper is the situation you're in because you're a woman and you chose food and shelter over comfort. It sucks.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia (where I am), we have to pay a 'tampon tax' - a 10% goods and services tax (GST) on the cost of sanitary items because they're deemed 'non-essentials', unlike items such as sunscreen and condoms.
It's a bloody outrage!
I bought a menstrual cup a couple of weeks ago, I haven't used it yet. It's expensive to me but it should pay for itself in 3 months (I chose one that was softer and easier to use so it was more expensive). I don't have much money but at least I could buy one unlike most homeless women. I won't have use for the pads I have left over so I'll donate them to a shelter. The petition has passed its target (well done!) so I signed the one following on from it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great cause to think about all year long, but also this time of year. It's easy to realize that having access to feminine hygiene products is a luxury that not all can afford. Thank you so much for sharing, Caroline.
ReplyDeletexoxo Mollie
www.molliebellezza.com
Thank you for making us think about this issue... it has never even crossed by mind until now. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your space for this issue that seems to go unnoticed! I've signed the petition!
ReplyDeletewww.upyourvlog.com
From Change.org: WE DID IT!!!! @PaulaSherriff MP raised #HomelessPeriod in Parliament today!! Thank you amazing lady
ReplyDeletehttps://www.change.org/p/procter-gamble-support-the-homeless-on-their-period-period-homelessperiod/u/18735776?tk=WaiH1sWv4Y1SgzDg37p1Mig5gjeIwoJwt7xEg9qW5oA&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email
My son and I are soon to be in a hostel you just never know if it could be you, one wrong choice is all it takes. I can't donate this year but when I can, I absolutely will. Also local food banks are desperate for decent child friendly food beans etc much love Caroline for all you do. Xx
ReplyDeleteUpdate from Change.org:
ReplyDeleteOur #HomelessPeriod campaign WINS the support of @BootsUK thanks to HERO @PaulaSherriff - Thank you!
https://www.change.org/p/procter-gamble-support-the-homeless-on-their-period-period-homelessperiod/u/18796076?tk=-475LwWY8dk97Qltg31fnYgd_hqI0G-rrujgqmcVcTs&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email
thank you for supporting this cause! my university in london has recently set up a group, and I think it's just amazing to see people in prominent positions speaking out and linking people with more information about important charities! xxxx
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