The Red Box Project are thrilled with the news that the Department for Education’s funding for free menstrual products in England’s secondary schools and colleges will be extended to cover primary schools. They now call upon the Government to enshrine their policy in legislation, and ensure that all children in full-time compulsory education are supported, including those studying in pupil referral units and special educational settings, ensuring that period poverty in all of England’s schools becomes a matter of history.
Anna Miles, co-founder of the Red Box Project said, “We are delighted that the Department for Education has listened to our concerns about the scope of this policy and has extended funding to include primary schools. Our experience at the Red Box Project has shown us that girls as young as 8 or 9 can experience period poverty. No child should miss out on their education because they have their period, irrespective of their age. “
Clegg Bamber, co-founder of the Red Box Project and director of Free Periods added, “At the Red Box Project, more than a third of our boxes of free period products are provided to primary schools – that’s well over 1,000 – so we know that there is a huge need to support children at this age. We are glad that the Government has heard the pleas of the Red Box Project, Free Periods and other activists, and will lift this arbitrary restriction on its funding. All children in full-time compulsory education should be supported.“
Gemma Abbott, coordinator for the Red Box Project and director of Free Periods concluded, “We are glad that the Government has seen sense and extended funding to include primary schools; we now need to ensure this policy covers all children in full-time compulsory education, including pupil referral units and other special education settings. We also need to see this enshrined in legislation, so that this funding is not vulnerable to the political whims of future governments. This is a chance to end period poverty, for the children of today and tomorrow. Let’s take it.“
About the Red Box Project
The Red Box Project is a nationwide, community-powered initiative to ensure that no young person misses out on their education because they have their period and lack access to menstrual products.
The Red Box Project started 2 years ago, in Portsmouth, and now has more than 3750 active red boxes in schools and other educational settings across the UK, ensuring young people have access to menstrual products whenever they need them – no questions asked.
Contact us
Contact for further comment.