Plan International UK is a global children’s charity. They work with children around the world, striving to make sure that everyone has access to the education, health care and clean water that they need to thrive.
They also work to create a just and equal world for girls. This includes in the UK, using their “Because I’m a Girl” campaign. The aim is to live in a world where every child knows their value and this includes bringing an end to period poverty and the stigma associated with menstruation.
Approximately half the world’s population menstruates every month for around 40 years of their life, yet, according to surveys conducted by Plan International there is still taboo and stigma associated with periods, even in the UK!
Opinium Research conducted a survey in August 2017, taking a sample of 1000 girls and young women aged 14-21. Findings include the following:
We believe in community, so we have pledged to supply food banks with KuuCup menstrual cups free of charge. If a family is struggling to afford food then we expect menstrual products will be a struggle too. By relieving the burden of the cost of menstrual products by offering a free, sustainable solution we believe we are helping relieve poverty AND helping to reduce the volume of plastic pollution we produce every year.