Period poverty. It's a thing. People aren't happy about it and on Wednesday the 20th of December at Parliament Square, people will gather to protest against it.
The march, "Free Periods on Parliament SQ" calls on Theresa May and the British Government to provide free menstruation products for all girls already on free school meals.
It's a peaceful protest, according to the Facebook pages description, and everyone's welcome: "Men, Women, Girls, Boys, Gender Non-Conforming People, Children and Dogs." We hope there will be dogs.
Attendees are encouraged to wear red "to show the British government that we're not ashamed of blood and they shouldn't be either. "
The march was organised by Pink Protest, a community of activists committed to engaging in action and supporting each other in this cause.
We spoke to Amika George, an 18-year-old behind the protest and creator of the #FreePeriods campaign.
She told SHS: "We need a protest to show the government that the #FreePeriods movement is gaining momentum. It will be a peaceful protest, and the aim is to get men, women, boys and girls together en masse to send out a very powerful message; it will demonstrate to the UK Government that the public are absolutely demanding action to end period poverty and will not relent until these girls are helped.
"Many girls don’t even ask their parents for money for sanitary products; they know there just isn’t the cash available. Some use socks or toilet roll, others cut up old clothes, and some just bleed. They stay at home, and bleed! How can we say we live in a progressive society where such basic needs of the worst off amongst us is failing to be addressed, when fundamental human rights are being denied?"
Things clearly need to change, but the response has been encouraging. She's had a huge amount of support from the public, from people in the public eye, and from MPs. Over 76,000 people have signed her petition already.
She said: "I’ve had so many messages of support on social media from people who feel as strongly as I do that girls and boys need an equal platform in which to learn. It’s brilliant that people want to send a message out in no uncertain terms that we are all behind these girls and will be their voice in demanding that period poverty is ended in the UK for good.
"People want to see change, and I do believe that change is happening."
To make a change, click attending on the Facebook event, sign the petition, read the facts or donate feminine hygiene products to those who can't afford them.
