Labour MP asks what British government is doing for women suffering from 'period poverty'

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

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

pic.twitter.com/mKzUNaNGCh

— 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