A shoebox appeal has been launched in Hackney to raise awareness and tackle the issue of period poverty.
Tricky Period, a grassroots volunteer-led initiative, has partnered with the Hackney-based women’s group The Akka Project to provide sanitary products for women who face financial hardship.
The appeal was announced on International Women’s Day and runs until 26 March. Both organisations are asking Hackney residents to donate tampons, sanitary pads, underwear and disposable bags/wipes.
In line with International Women’s Day we are launching another urgent shoebox appeal in collaboration with @TrickyPeriod. Please visit https://t.co/LG8goeeJoZ pic.twitter.com/iWFRXbZnPd
— Akka (@TheAkkaProject) March 7, 2021
Tricky Period was developed out of the initiative Streets Kitchen that provides food and clothing for the homeless community.
Caroline Allouf, the founder of Tricky Period, said: “What became clear over the years was the number of women on the streets who struggle on their period. I was coming across women who were shoplifting for period products and putting leaves and newspapers in their knickers. Other women would appear completely stained, which is very humiliating for them.”
Organisations such as Tricky Period say that there has been a noticeable rise in period poverty since the beginning of the pandemic. Although no official statistics are available, access to sanitary products has become increasingly limited, particularly as online learning has resulted in young women being unable to get products through school.
“We’re seeing people with families choosing between feeding their children or getting period products,” Allouf said. “So many women who are just managing to get by end up sacrificing sanitary products. It’s also still a taboo subject, particularly amongst ethnic minorities. It’s such a basic essential and most people are unaware that it’s not provided for those in need.”
Tricky Period are hoping to launch in libraries across Hackney in the near future. With the support of the mayor and several councillors, this will mean that women can access sanitary products throughout Hackney in a neutral, safe space.
Akka Project founder Ketchurah Ravindren said: “We ran a successful shoebox campaign in December for women in temporary accommodation and collected non-essential products [cosmetics, sanitary products, biscuits], which were then donated to [homelessness charity] St Mungo’s and Hackney Winter Night Shelter.
“We saw Tricky Period talking about their shoebox appeal and reached out to ask if we could collaborate. This shoebox appeal is going beyond women in temporary accommodation – it’s for all women who are on the breadline and struggling to access period products.”
As well as sanitary products, the shoebox appeal is accepting roll-on deodorants, soaps, cosmetics, brushes and foods such as chocolates and biscuits. All donations must be unopened and within date.
Hackney residents can drop off their donations at the following locations:
- Between Tuesday – Friday from 2 – 6pm at Eastern Curve Garden, 13 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF (by the 26th of March)
- Between 4:30 – 6pm on the 23rd of March at Well Space Community, 241 Well Street, E9 6RG
- Between 11am – 1pm on 21st of March at Hackney Central Library, E8 1GQ
Go to https://trickyperiod.com/ for more information.
