Minister for Women and Equalities and Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt, will today (4 March) announce a new UK government campaign to break the silence and end period poverty globally by 2030.
Commenting, Farah Nazeer, deputy director of advocacy at ActionAid UK, said: “We welcome today’s commitment from DIFD to end period poverty globally by 2030, it is a step in the right direction. Periods are a natural process and a part of nearly every girl’s life, but social stigma and a lack of access to sanitary pads are holding millions back from getting an education. In some countries period poverty can also prove fatal through banishment to isolated menstrual huts.
“Period poverty is just one of several barriers holding women and girls back and so it is vital that aid solutions tackle the root cause of this global problem, which is the deep-rooted gender inequality and social norms that remove women and girls’ rights to their bodies and lives.
“Local grassroots activists have been working closely with entire communities to tackle these norms and empower women and girls to reclaim their rights. UK aid needs to support long-term solutions to achieve sustainable change and focussed on poverty alleviation.”
ENDS
For further information, contact the media team on email: claire.wilkinson@actionaid.org, alice.gillham@actionaid.org, or charlotte.clarke@actionaid.org. If out of hours, on +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors
1. ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are helping end violence against women and girls and changing lives, for good. We won’t stop until women and girls are out of danger, out of poverty and on track to create the future they want.
2. More information about ActionAid UK’s work on period poverty can be found at the ActionAid UK website (including on periods and education and periods in humanitarian emergencies).