Gender Based Violence and Period Poverty

Menstruation Matters Belfast are proud to support 16 Days of Action Against Gender-based Violence. This global campaign is a crucial moment for us and our local feminist organisations to collectively raise awareness and call for urgent action! 

As an organisation that champions gender equality through our fight for period equality, we join our sector colleagues over this period to spotlight calls for an end to gender-based violence. We stand in solidarity with the leading organisations who carry out this tireless work all year round, and all those who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence in all its forms. 

Over #16Days, we want to highlight the reality for those fleeing domestic violence and human trafficking when it comes to period poverty. Often the people we support with period products, flee violence and arrive at a refuge in the middle of the night with only the clothes that they are wearing. Victims of human trafficking are often too traumatised to work after they have been rescued and need time for serious recovery. All of this can impact their access to period products, and we have witnessed dire situations where victims and survivors have had to go without a pad or tampon. This is either due to low-income, or because of the embarrassment and stigma around asking for period products from their support services. 

This means those affected by gender-based violence are often experiencing the struggles linked to period poverty at the same time. As periods continue to be a societal taboo, period poverty is an issue we do not often think about for victims and survivors. And while stigma still exists around the topic of violence against women and girls, together we must take further action to expose the additional gender inequality issues that surround gender-based violence. 

By using these 16 Days to raise awareness and encourage vital conversations, we can help break the silence that surrounds both gender-based violence and period equality. Working together we can build our movement for change and create a society where everyone, regardless of gender, experiences dignity and safety in all aspects of life. 

#EndGenderBasedViolence

#MenstruationMatters

Author - Katie Bryce

Director and campaigner for Menstruation Matters Belfast, who campaigned for free period products in all public buildings. Leading to the passing of the Period Products (Free Provisions) Act 2022.