So, we have this thing that happens every month, and it’s called a period. Not our fault, just the way we were made. And although most of us see our period as a nuisance, others dread the sight of it because they know they won’t be able to afford sanitary products or pain relief. It seems unfair doesn’t it? How something that’s totally out of our control should cause such stress? Having access to sanitary products should be a basic right as a menstruator. Paying for products once a month for almost 30 years, god that even sounds exhausting!
Changing the narrative on Period Poverty
Access to period products should be a right, not a privilege and that’s why here at Riley we want to make lives easier by providing products that are better for your body and better for our planet to those who need them most. Riley works with many charity partners and as the company grows and expands, so too will the list of charities we partner with. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Positive Period Ireland in fighting period poverty closer to home.
What is Period Poverty?
Period poverty affects an estimated 500 million people around the world but in Ireland alone, it’s suggested that between 53,000 - 85,000 people with periods of all ages are at risk of experiencing period poverty according to the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
For those of you thinking, what is period poverty? Simply put it’s when people with periods lack the resources or access to menstrual products such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, anything required when menstruating really, including pain relief, one of the less obvious but very necessary considerations of having a period. As mentioned, period poverty can cause a lot of unnecessary stress for people when navigating their everyday life. Some feel the need to miss work or school which can have a negative impact later on but also, many have to endure the physical discomfort particularly when buying both menstrual products and pain relief are just not an option.
Period Positive Charity: Positive Period Ireland’s work so far
Positive Period Ireland is on a mission to end period poverty in Ireland by donating feminine hygiene products to those who otherwise would go without. The donations are brought by volunteer drivers to Homeless Outreach Centres, Direct Provision Centres and Women’s Refuges. The mission of Positive Period Ireland’s mission is closely aligned with our own here at Riley, making them the perfect partner for us.
Our mission is not only to deliver period products that are better for our body and our planet, but also to completely destigmatise a normal bodily function that more than half the worlds population experience and open the conversation around female health.
The Future of Universal Period Care
In Ireland we have a long way to go when it comes to supporting menstruators through their periods. Hopefully we will follow in the footsteps of Scotland making period products free. They are the first country EVER to offer free period products under the Period Product Act 2020. It all began in 2018 when they began giving period products for free to all schools, colleges and universities across Scotland.
We hope... No, no... We know this partnership will begin to change that conversation. And we want to say a huge thank you to all of our customers who allow us to fight the good fight, because without you, we wouldn’t be able to create such valuable partnerships.
Find out more about our mission at Riley.com and on our Life of Riley Blog today.