Category Archives: Poverty

Over One Million Girls in the UK Struggled to Afford or Access Period Products During the Pandemic – Plan International UK

More than a third (36%) of girls aged 14-21 in the UK have struggled to afford or access period products during the Coronavirus pandemic – up a fifth on last year, according to a new survey released by international children’s charity Plan International UK.

That is equivalent to over one million girls in the UK[2]. Half of these girls did not have enough money to buy period products at all at some point over the past year. Three quarters (73%) of those had to use toilet paper as an alternative to period products like pads.

Of the girls who found it difficult to afford period products but were able to buy them, some girls said they had to cut back on other essential items like food (30%), hygiene products like soap or toothpaste (23%) and clothing (39%).

Rose Caldwell, CEO of Plan International UK, said:

“These new figures are shocking but sadly not surprising. It is deeply concerning that the situation has continued to deteriorate since last year, with over a million girls and young women now estimated to have been affected by period poverty during the pandemic.

“We have seen great progress in public awareness of period poverty over the past several years thanks to the tireless work of grassroots organisations, but this is a wake-up call that much more needs to be done to ensure that all girls can access period products when they need them.”

These new findings come despite the introduction of several government and retailer schemes to provide free period products in schools, public buildings, and supermarkets.

The polling showed that only around half (49%) of girls aged 14-18 in England and Scotland said free period products have been provided in their schools and colleges.

Ms Caldwell added: “While access to period products is essential to tackling period poverty, it is only part of the solution. Period poverty is driven by a ‘toxic trio’ of issues, which on top of access to period products, includes a lack of education and the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.

“We must ensure that girls and young women are not only supported with free access to products, but also receive education on periods and feel able to talk about the issue without fear of shame or stigma.”

For more information, visit plan-uk.org/periodpoverty

 

June 4, 2021

Coronavirus pandemic leaves children facing financial crisis – Turn2us

Over 10.5 million children in 5.8 million households across the UK are facing financial crisis as one or both of their parents have lost income because of the coronavirus, warns national poverty charity, Turn2us. 

This means 71% of children are living in households where their parents’ employment has been affected. The charity is calling for an increase in Child Benefit of £10 per week per child to help struggling families through the crisis.

According to the charity’s nationwide survey of 2064 working age adults, parents are more likely to have experienced a change in their employment status than any other group of working age adults. Nearly two thirds of households with children have already seen their employment situation affected by coronavirus (62%), compared to 43% of households without children.

Furthermore, a significant number of families with children are unable to afford essentials due to coronavirus. This includes 57% who cannot afford at least one household essential, as a consequence of their employment being affected by the pandemic.

The survey findings also show:

  • 2.2 million households, including 2.5 million children, are currently unable to afford rent or mortgage payments
  • 1.8 million households, including 2.0 million children, are currently unable to afford heating or electricity costs.
  • 602,000 households, including 944,000 children are currently unable to afford childcare essentials, like nappies and baby food
  • 571,000 households, including 934,000 children are currently unable to afford essential school supplies, due to coronavirus affecting employment.

A large number of families are anticipating a significant drop in their income with 11% of households expecting their net household income to drop below £1000 in April. This corresponds to 1.9 million children affected by this drop.

Summary of recommendations to the government:

  1. Increase Child Benefit by £10 per child per week. This would provide a fast and effective way of reaching the families of 12.7 million children.  This increase, on top of uprating from 6 April, would reduce child poverty by approximately five percentage points.
  2. Suspend the Benefits Cap and Two-child Limit*, both of which stop many families from getting the necessary amount of support they need to get by.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/Press-releases-and-comments/Coronavirus-pandemic-leaves-children-facing-financ

 

May 4, 2020

6 December 2018 21:00 ~ A Taste of Honey – Young Women’s Trust Fundraiser – London

#WomenInFilm2018 and the Young Women’s Trust present a fundraiser screening of Tony Richardson’s Kitchen Sink classic A Taste of Honey.

Young Women’s Trust supports and represents women aged 16-30 struggling to live on low or no pay in England and Wales and who are at risk of being trapped in poverty. We give young women a voice, campaign for change, and offer free support.

Part of the proceeds will go towards  the Young Wonen’s Trust, however if you’d like to help them out more you can buy a solidarity ticket at £11.

In this domestic drama, British teen Jo (Rita Tushingham) struggles to find love in her bleak day-to-day life, which is dominated by her alcoholic mother, Helen (Dora Bryan). When Jo has a brief fling with a black sailor and Helen takes up with a new lover, their already tense relationship is further strained. Jo faces more complications as she discovers she is pregnant, but finds support when she moves in with an odd but thoughtful gay student named Geoffrey (Murray Melvin).

  • 100 minutes
  • Director: Tony Richardson
  • Cast: Rita Tushingham, Dora Bryan, Murray Melvin, Robert Stephens, Paul Danquah, David Boliver
  • UK (1961)

#WomenInFilm2018 is presented in association with Birds Eye View, Hackney Wicked Women, WFTV, F-Rated, Bechdel Test Fest and #genesisters. As part of this year-long season we’ll be screening only films that have: a female director/co-director, a female writer/co-writer, or a strong/iconic female lead..

Book tickets at http://genesiscinema.co.uk/GenesisCinema.dll/WhatsOn?Film=14542727

November 14, 2018

Lack of access to sanitary products has long-reaching effects on young women’s lives

Women who have experienced period poverty are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression, struggle to pay their bills and have an unfulfilling love life, according to research.

A study of 1000 women, 500 of whom had suffered from period poverty, revealed that a lack of access to sanitary products can have a long-reaching effect on young women’s lives.

Nearly two thirds admitted they lack confidence because of bullies at school, while 39 per cent now suffer from anxiety or depression.

The same amount said that they don’t have many friends and find it hard to socialise.

The study found women who had a tougher start in life have had twice as many failed relationships as those who didn’t.

Forty one per cent of these women describe themselves as ’unlucky in love’ compared to 36 per cent who haven’t found themselves in period poverty.

Sadly, those who struggled to afford sanitary products are less likely to have completed their GCSEs, or go on to sit A-levels.

But the results found those who did manage to make it through secondary education were then MORE likely to push through to university and achieve a degree, and even a Master’s.

After finishing their education, 44 per cent of women who had been through period poverty struggled to find employment.

This is 20 per cent higher than the figure of women who have never been through the same struggle.

And those who couldn’t afford sanitary protection were more likely to settle for the first job they were offered (31 per cent versus 24 per cent) or one which simply paid the bills (27 per cent versus 23 per cent).

As a consequence, the majority of women who had experienced period poverty now suffer money troubles, with four in 10 admitting they are sometimes unable to keep up with demands for payment.

The majority of women who have not experienced period poverty do not have these same money worries.

Suffering financially at a young age, however, seems to have a positive effect on women’s goals and aspirations.

At school, more women who experienced period poverty had hopes and dreams for the future, than those who didn’t.

And growing into adults, people who grew up in these hardened circumstances are more likely to go on to fulfill their aspirations.

They are also likely to do it at a younger age, with almost three times as many women leaving home at age 16 if they’ve suffered period poverty.

Those who haven’t struggled to afford sanitary protection are more likely to love their jobs, earn more money, and are generally happier with their life at present.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.swnsdigital.com/2018/07/researchers-find-lack-of-access-to-sanitary-products-has-long-reaching-effects-on-young-womens-lives/

August 2, 2018

Lack of access to sanitary products has long-reaching effects on young women’s lives

Women who have experienced period poverty are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression, struggle to pay their bills and have an unfulfilling love life, according to research.

A study of 1000 women, 500 of whom had suffered from period poverty, revealed that a lack of access to sanitary products can have a long-reaching effect on young women’s lives.

Nearly two thirds admitted they lack confidence because of bullies at school, while 39 per cent now suffer from anxiety or depression.

The same amount said that they don’t have many friends and find it hard to socialise.

The study found women who had a tougher start in life have had twice as many failed relationships as those who didn’t.

Forty one per cent of these women describe themselves as ’unlucky in love’ compared to 36 per cent who haven’t found themselves in period poverty.

Sadly, those who struggled to afford sanitary products are less likely to have completed their GCSEs, or go on to sit A-levels.

But the results found those who did manage to make it through secondary education were then MORE likely to push through to university and achieve a degree, and even a Master’s.

After finishing their education, 44 per cent of women who had been through period poverty struggled to find employment.

This is 20 per cent higher than the figure of women who have never been through the same struggle.

And those who couldn’t afford sanitary protection were more likely to settle for the first job they were offered (31 per cent versus 24 per cent) or one which simply paid the bills (27 per cent versus 23 per cent).

As a consequence, the majority of women who had experienced period poverty now suffer money troubles, with four in 10 admitting they are sometimes unable to keep up with demands for payment.

The majority of women who have not experienced period poverty do not have these same money worries.

Suffering financially at a young age, however, seems to have a positive effect on women’s goals and aspirations.

At school, more women who experienced period poverty had hopes and dreams for the future, than those who didn’t.

And growing into adults, people who grew up in these hardened circumstances are more likely to go on to fulfill their aspirations.

They are also likely to do it at a younger age, with almost three times as many women leaving home at age 16 if they’ve suffered period poverty.

Those who haven’t struggled to afford sanitary protection are more likely to love their jobs, earn more money, and are generally happier with their life at present.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.swnsdigital.com/2018/07/researchers-find-lack-of-access-to-sanitary-products-has-long-reaching-effects-on-young-womens-lives/

August 2, 2018