KidsCan survey exposes extent of period poverty in NZ
Thursday November 1
Almost a quarter of New
Zealand women who responded to a KidsCan survey have missed
school or work because they have been unable to afford
sanitary items.
The charity undertook the survey, thought to be the first of its kind in New Zealand, to understand the level of period poverty Kiwi girls and women are experiencing. The topic struck a chord, with more than 5,000 responses nationwide.
53.1% said they had found
it difficult to access sanitary items due to cost at some
point (8.6% frequently, 44.5% occasionally.)
23.6% said they had missed school or work due to a lack
of access to sanitary wear.
One in three
respondents said they had had to prioritise buying
other items, like food, over sanitary items. When they
couldn’t afford them, most (53.8%) resorted to toilet
paper, but 7.7% had used rags, 3% old cloths and many
mentioned using disposable or cloth nappies.
KidsCan is
particularly concerned by what teenagers are reporting.
27% of the survey respondents were aged 15-17 years.
In the under 17 age group:
7% were currently
struggling frequently to afford sanitary items
29% said they had missed school or work due to having their
period and lack of access to sanitary wear.
KidsCan’s CEO Julie Chapman said the results
confirm concerns voiced by teachers and principals about the
number of girls missing school when they have their
period.
“As Kiwis we pride ourselves on leading the way in gender equality. But this is a huge, hidden barrier to that,” she said. “For girls in low income families, education is the best way out of hardship. But they’re being denied that chance because they can’t afford basic necessities like sanitary items.”
Overall, 6% of
respondents said they were currently struggling to afford
sanitary items. Of those:
84% had had to
prioritise other items such as food over buying sanitary
wear.
65% said they had missed school or work
due to a lack of access to sanitary wear.
The
stories shared by 1300 of the respondents included:
“Too expensive and often babies nappies
and formula came first. Have used a disposable nappy more
than once at night.”
“We had to
use a pad for an entire day to make them last and not go out
for fear of leakage.”
“Single mama.
Bills to pay food to buy. Can only afford to buy when they
are on special.”
“I have to
sacrifice a day or two of food to be able to afford what
many call ‘a female
luxury’”
“It’s a luxury item
for us, and our kids come first... I’ll just fold a length
of loo paper”
“Condoms are given
out like confetti but why not menstrual
items?”
“When my daughter got her
period I made sure she got pads and I had no money left when
it was my turn.”
The Survey Monkey
survey was inspired by the Free Period Scotland campaign,
which ran a similar questionnaire, producing similar
results. In August, in a world-first, Scotland announced all
students would receive free sanitary items.
KidsCan supplies schools nationwide with sanitary items - as well as food, shoes and raincoats - to help remove any barriers to learning. This year the charity has supplied more than 16,000 boxes of tampons, pads and liners to hundreds of schools. Kiwis can sign up at www.kidscan.org.nz where $20 a month makes a world of difference.
ends