To establish period dignity, there should be free, accessible, good quality period products available in public spaces for everyone.
About the campaign
The UK Youth Parliament launched a UK-wide Period Dignity campaign in March 2026 to secure free period products in all public toilets, a priority set out in their Manifesto.
Ther goal is to influence policymakers to improve access to sanitary products through raising awareness of the impact not having period products has on menstruating girls’ lives such as missed days at school, risk of infection not to mention the embarrassment, stigma and shame that exists around the natural biological process.
With the price of sanitary products increasing by 75% since 2022 (according to The Grocer), the young campaigners have found that girls and young women are having to prioritise food and household bills over period products and say that menstrual products should be a standard public provision, just like toilet paper or soap in public settings.
Led by Sienna Ahir, Member of Youth Parliament for Wolverhampton, the group is raising awareness of the inequity faced by many who cannot afford good‑quality period products, The campaign aims to ensure no young person is ever left without the essentials they need, while also pushing for better menstrual health education and tackling stigma surrounding periods.
An ActionAid poll in 2023 found that the number of UK women and people who menstruate who are struggling to afford period products has risen from 12% to 21% in one year. Learn more here.
Take part in the Member of Youth Parliament’s awareness events and survey
Members of Youth Parliament are running awareness events in their constituencies, meeting with local MPs and inviting others to spread the message about the impact of period poverty. The Period Dignity Committee has also launched a survey to understand the extent to which poverty restricts access to affordable, safe period products.
Read the thoughts of the Members
”"Access to period products should never be a luxury, and in the same way toilet rolls are a necessity, so are period products. It’s vital we teach students about menstrual health and have honest conversations to eliminate stigma. Periods are natural and should be respected. Dignity is a right — period"
Sienna AhirMember of Youth Parliament for Wolverhampton
”"For me, Period Dignity is about respect, equality, and making sure no one is held back by stigma or lack of support."
Maximilian KalyuzhnovMember of Youth Parliament
”"I am getting involved in this initiative because lack of period dignity is an issue that affects so many young people, often without being openly acknowledged. Access to period products and accurate education should never be uncertain, as accessibility can shape confidence, health and daily life. I want to help challenge the silence around it and support a future where understanding and access are available to everyone. "
Shalom WondiamMember of Youth Parliament
”"Period products should be accessible for everyone, no one should struggle to access or afford them! That is why this campaign is so important, we must fight for accessible period products, to fight for the dignity we deserve!"
Caitlyn MonksMember of Youth Parliament
”"I find it outrageous that period dignity is still considered a privilege and not a right.
Myra SoniMember of Youth Parliament
We are trying to change that narrative, because periods are natural but the shame and disparity surrounding them are definitely not!"
”"Hi, I’m Amy Catton, MYP for Cheshire West and Chester. I’ve worked on my own period poverty campaign in my area but it’s amazing to be working on something bigger that helps raise awareness. I’m passionate about getting period products in public, and within school bathrooms because women and girls can be trusted."
Amy CattonMYP for Cheshire West and Chester
”"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that every human being is entitled to the right of dignity. Yet, in the UK today, people are being denied their right of dignity in their periods, due to rising prices. While Governments across the UK have begun to act, with Llywodraeth Cymru - Welsh Government providing Welsh Local Authorities with grants to help alleviate the problem, more can and must be done to end period poverty. To ensure that everyone is afforded their right to dignity."
Daniel EdwardsMember of Youth Parliament
”"Period dignity matters because something so natural should never be a source of embarrassment or shame."
Thomas GrimshawMember of Youth Parliament
”"Period dignity isn’t just a silly passion project - it is a real issue that people face not only in the UK, but globally, and we must tackle this issue. Menstruation is a natural and normal part of life, and it is absolutely unfair that people have to suffer because they don’t have access to essential period products. We must not only inspire young people that change is possible, but inspire people globally to promote period dignity - the movement. But period dignity doesn’t stop when everyone has access to high-quality period products; we must educate young people further about menstruation and key biological processes and the stigma surrounding it. This must include education on endometriosis, POTS, PCOS etc and also encouraging discussions surrounding menstruation and how it’s a normal experience for people globally, breaking down the negative stigma surrounding it."
Alya KakayMember of Youth Parliament
