OK, “period poverty” is officially a thing now, and it’s been creeping up on us for years. Just a couple of years ago, a writer for HuffPost argued that “free tampons should be a human right.” There have also been members of Congress introducing legislation to make feminine hygiene products tax-free. (You remember the Fund Essential Menstruation Products (FEM) Act, right?)
Let’s hop across the pond for a minute to meet the U.K.’s version of Sandra Fluke, only she’s testifying on “period poverty” — the case where women just can’t afford to have periods.
"The average cost of a period in the UK, over a year, is £500. Many women can’t afford this."
Labour MP Danielle Rowley asks Minister for Women Victoria Atkins what the government is doing to address period poverty. pic.twitter.com/qSTZMEjFlz— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) June 28, 2018
Like we said, when it comes to math, she’s the U.K.’s Sandra Fluke, who told Congress that contraception can cost over $3,000 for a woman during her time in law school.
https://twitter.com/EdRedonion/status/1012746588714881031
Is she using gold bars as tampons?!?#QuikMafs
— The Devil Vaper (@TheDevilVaper) June 30, 2018
£25 a week?? Where she buying her tampons from??
— em (@craftyworm81) June 28, 2018
This works out to about US$55 per month. What kind of fem hygiene products do y'all have over there, Egyptian cotton? I call #BS.
— Jules of Denial (@Coolish_Breeze) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/ThisDaveHere/status/1012912900795764737
£500?? You can get branded products in pound shops and stores like Home Bargains, and Tesco & Asda own brand products are less then a £1 per pack and work just as well.
— Laura (@Laura_1927) June 28, 2018
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As a man, I’ll probably be told I’m excluded from this conversation… but I do have a wife & daughter who use these products, and know a pack costs 99p from Asda.
If they both used 2 packs 13 times per year, it’ll cost *us* £102.96. (£51.48 each)!
She’s added a 0 here.
— Luke Dawson ?? (@Dawstopper) June 29, 2018
ASDA Tampons 75p/pack of 20 – two packs/period – £1.50 x 13 = £19.50
Pain relief – ASDA Ibuprofen 30p/pack of 16 – one pack/period – 30p x 13 = £3.90
Giving a total of £23.40
Well f**k, that's a lot of money they're spending on chocolate and ice cream.
— Paul #JARA Currently playing Minotaur Arcade Vol.1 (@theimp67) June 29, 2018
I’m all for removing VAT on sanitary products but where does she get that figure from? Does it include chocolate and wine?!
— Amanda Bryant (@AmandaBryant2) June 30, 2018
The only way it would cost her £500 is if she actually used £500, but I don't think those new tenners are very absorbent.
— Daily Referendum (@Daily_Ref) June 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Candycr75502058/status/1012373926909968384
— Holden Steele (@HoldenSteele) June 30, 2018
LOL so now the UK is supposed to socialize periods?
— Haute Sioux (@HauteSioux) June 29, 2018
£500, so even if you buy Tampax branded, these are £8.20 pk36.
500/8.2 = 60
60×36 = 2160
2160 / 12 = 180 per period (5 boxes)
Let's say you have a long period, 9 day 2xavg
180/9 = 20
You're saying you use 20 a day (1every 1:12)
Seek an immediate appointment with a gyno https://t.co/zax75Sl8bC
— Jon L Seagull (@desert__seagull) June 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/JWBRYAR/status/1012760556649017346
https://twitter.com/avonandsomer/status/1012725240462528513
Stop buying solid gold tampons. Problem solved. https://t.co/ZN9rvdOJNR
— Eric Spencer (@JustEric) June 30, 2018
Related:
Tampon justice in our time draws closer with proposed New York legislation https://t.co/GfqUuKl6ay
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 3, 2016
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