Stags to provide free menstrual products in female and disabled toilets to tackle period poverty

Mansfield Town have been working with period poverty campaign group On The Ball to make sure all female and disabled toilets are stocked with free tampons and towels.
One call stadiumOne call stadium
One call stadium

Operations director Tina Broughton said: “The club is aware that many women and girls are unable to afford menstrual products and we believe that essential items such as these should be free.

“There can be a stigma associated with menstruation as well as sometimes feeling embarrassed to buying the products.

"We want to alleviate that as best we can.

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“We would like to thank Sainsbury’s for their initial supply of sanitary products.”

Menstrual products will be provided in all female and disabled toilet areas at One Call Stadium from this Saturday’s game at home to Northampton Town and thereafter.

Period poverty has become a significant issue in the UK, but has only really hit headlines in recent years.

In Britain, according to research by Plan International UK, one in every 10 girls cannot afford to buy menstrual products.

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The Stags follow other forward thinking clubs across Scotland and the UK to provide free menstrual products, such as Barnsley FC, Celtic FC and Tranmere Rovers.

According to charity Bloody Good Period, the average lifetime cost of sanitary products is approximately £4,800.

In addition, a 2017 survey of 1,000 14- to 21-year-olds by Plan International UK found that one in 10 women and girls have been unable to afford sanitary products, while 12% have had to improvise their sanitary wear.

Alongside the 49% of girls have missed an entire day of school because of their periods, period poverty is a real issue that must be addressed, and schemes such as on the ball help bring the discussion into the public eye.