Menu
17/12/2018
Alliance Councillor Calls For Strategy To Tackle Period Poverty
Alliance Councillor Sian O'Neill is fronting a drive to see Belfast City Council end period poverty in order to help girls and women access the much needed resource.
The representative for the city secured committee support for a report on the issue at a meeting last month.
Mrs O'Neill said the current lack of resources has a serious impact on the lives of some women and girls due to the high tax attached to sanitary products.
"I'm delighted to see Belfast City Council are taking action against the growing problem that is period poverty. I'm hopeful when the report comes back all Councillors will be able to get behind the move and together we'll be able to change so many people's lives.
"The final aim is that all Belfast's public buildings and sporting grounds will provide free sanitary products and I hope other businesses will see our Council leading on this issue in the City and take similar action.
"The statistics are stark - over a quarter of girls in the UK have reused a sanitary product because they can't afford a fresh one, while one in seven have had to borrow sanitary wear from a friend due to affordability issues.
"But this is about much more than sanitary provision, not only is it about dignity for women, but also about protecting women and ensuring they are healthy and able to remain a vital part of their family dynamic.
"In the weeks since I raised this issue I've become aware of just how many people are approaching food banks looking for help and support. I have been volunteering for an initiative called The Homeless Period who appeal for donations of sanitary products across the city and who then deliver period care packs to women and girls most in need. They have delivered thousands of these packs across Belfast without any financial support of any kind, just relying on the amazing generosity of the people of our city.
"It's issues like this that lead to real people suffering while the political stalemate continues, that make me glad as Councillors we're not prepared to just sit back and do nothing."
(JG/CM)
The representative for the city secured committee support for a report on the issue at a meeting last month.
Mrs O'Neill said the current lack of resources has a serious impact on the lives of some women and girls due to the high tax attached to sanitary products.
"I'm delighted to see Belfast City Council are taking action against the growing problem that is period poverty. I'm hopeful when the report comes back all Councillors will be able to get behind the move and together we'll be able to change so many people's lives.
"The final aim is that all Belfast's public buildings and sporting grounds will provide free sanitary products and I hope other businesses will see our Council leading on this issue in the City and take similar action.
"The statistics are stark - over a quarter of girls in the UK have reused a sanitary product because they can't afford a fresh one, while one in seven have had to borrow sanitary wear from a friend due to affordability issues.
"But this is about much more than sanitary provision, not only is it about dignity for women, but also about protecting women and ensuring they are healthy and able to remain a vital part of their family dynamic.
"In the weeks since I raised this issue I've become aware of just how many people are approaching food banks looking for help and support. I have been volunteering for an initiative called The Homeless Period who appeal for donations of sanitary products across the city and who then deliver period care packs to women and girls most in need. They have delivered thousands of these packs across Belfast without any financial support of any kind, just relying on the amazing generosity of the people of our city.
"It's issues like this that lead to real people suffering while the political stalemate continues, that make me glad as Councillors we're not prepared to just sit back and do nothing."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 April 2024
Shankill Juniors FC Named 'Anchor Club' For New Woodvale Park
Shankill Juniors FC has been announced as the official "anchor club" for the new 3G pitch currently in development at Woodvale Park. Work is underway on the £200,000 project at Woodvale Park, which will see an ageing multi-use games area in the park transformed into a new nine-a-side football pitch with LED floodlights.
Shankill Juniors FC Named 'Anchor Club' For New Woodvale Park
Shankill Juniors FC has been announced as the official "anchor club" for the new 3G pitch currently in development at Woodvale Park. Work is underway on the £200,000 project at Woodvale Park, which will see an ageing multi-use games area in the park transformed into a new nine-a-side football pitch with LED floodlights.
12 October 2021
New Period Products Bill To Be Introduced Into The Assembly
A new Period Products Bill, which aims to address period poverty across Northern Ireland by making free period products available in schools, colleges and all other public buildings, is to be introduced into the Assembly. The Bill, introduced by the SDLP's Pat Catney, is due to undergo its first reading in the Assembly.
New Period Products Bill To Be Introduced Into The Assembly
A new Period Products Bill, which aims to address period poverty across Northern Ireland by making free period products available in schools, colleges and all other public buildings, is to be introduced into the Assembly. The Bill, introduced by the SDLP's Pat Catney, is due to undergo its first reading in the Assembly.
01 March 2024
Belfast Region City Deal Investment Creates 'Significant Opportunities'
Belfast City Council has hosted an event for business leaders to learn more about the opportunities being created by the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment – and how they can connect to, and benefit from them.
Belfast Region City Deal Investment Creates 'Significant Opportunities'
Belfast City Council has hosted an event for business leaders to learn more about the opportunities being created by the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment – and how they can connect to, and benefit from them.
08 April 2024
Belfast City Airport Names Air Ambulance NI As Official Charity Partner
Belfast City Airport has named Air Ambulance NI as its Charity Partner of the Year for 2024 and 2025. Working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide Helicopter based Emergency Medical Services for the region, Air Ambulance NI operates 12 hours per day, 365 days a year.
Belfast City Airport Names Air Ambulance NI As Official Charity Partner
Belfast City Airport has named Air Ambulance NI as its Charity Partner of the Year for 2024 and 2025. Working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide Helicopter based Emergency Medical Services for the region, Air Ambulance NI operates 12 hours per day, 365 days a year.
14 September 2023
Belfast City Council Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
Environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has awarded Belfast City Council a prestigious award in recognition of its free reusable period products initiative. The council won the Behaviour Change Award for its 'impactful and pioneering' pilot project which tackles single-use plastic.
Belfast City Council Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
Environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has awarded Belfast City Council a prestigious award in recognition of its free reusable period products initiative. The council won the Behaviour Change Award for its 'impactful and pioneering' pilot project which tackles single-use plastic.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mix of sunny spells and a few, mainly light, showers during the morning, mostly in the west. Cloudier with scattered showers into the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies for a time overnight. Clouding over by morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
