Veteran radio presenter Liz Kershaw has been heavily criticised on social media for suggesting that teenagers affected by period poverty should use washable rags, as her mother had once done.
Responding to a new campaign by the government that offers free tampons to school pupils, the Radio 6 Music star suggested that women had prospered in the past without needing free sanitary products.
Kershaw – who at 61 is the BBC’s second longest-serving female DJ – tweeted: ‘Sorry if this is gross. But period poverty FFS?! My mum had to use old rags which my grandma boiled-washed and she re-used.
‘How did she ever manage to get a scholarship to grammar school, go to university and become (sic) a headteacher without free tampons?’
Liz Kershaw, the BBC’s second longest female DJ at 61, aired her frustrations with the government’s new #periodpoverty campaign, which sees schools being given free tampons on Twitter (Kershaw pictured in the 6 Music studio)
The radio star recounted how her mother had still prospered without free tampons, using ‘old rags’ while menstruating that her grandmother would then wash to be re-used
Others agreed with the broadcaster, saying sanitary products were affordable for most
Her post sparked fury amongst many including from Amika George, who launched the Free Periods campaign, which lobbied the Government to fund sanitary products in schools.
She responded: ‘Without access to period products every month, young girls have yet another thing to worry about at a really challenging time in their lives.
‘In 2020, no girl should be boil-washing rags. I think that is totally unacceptable.
‘We know that the drivers of period poverty are complex and varied and studies have shown that period poverty can have a far-reaching effect on a girl’s life, which goes way beyond academic attainment.
‘People are entitled to their opinion, of course, but we really need to be asking what kind of society we want to be living in.
‘A child’s right to dignity, education and health should not depend on their gender.’
Laura Coryton, who started the petition to stop tax on tampons, commented: ‘Any problem that stops 49 per cent of girls going to school is important and serious enough to solve.
‘This scheme marks a change in culture around periods, which is encapsulated brilliantly by Liz Kershaw’s reaction. We shouldn’t feel shame about periods.
‘Students everywhere should feel confident enough to speak up about any problems they face, including the very real issue of period poverty.’
Anita Neal wrote: ‘Do you think it’s acceptable to have to choose between food or sanitary protection, because for some families that’s the decision they have to make. No girl should have to miss school because of her period.’
The presenter later tweeted that she’d ‘given up’ reading the responses to her tweet
Ms Dayglo commented: ‘For every woman like your nan, there will be many who are so mortified after leaking blood at school and being teased.They will be out of there as soon as they can leave. It’s difficult to concentrate when you’re leaking blood.’
Helen Walsh said: ‘Surely each generation should be moving forward not backwards.
‘Period poverty is real and humiliating for many young girls – a travesty in our time.’
Tony Schumacher added: ‘Just because something used to be rubbish and hard to deal with doesn’t mean it should always be rubbish and hard to deal with.
‘If we can make things better for people, we should make things better for people.’
However some people backed the BBC star.
Laura said: ‘Anyone who can’t afford £1 a month on sanitary towels really needs to evaluate their life.’
Donna Mitchell responded: ‘This makes me so angry.People need to be made to be responsible for themselves and their children.This is a fundamental need for young girls. If parents can’t provide, then they shouldn’t have kids.
‘Sorry if this sounds too harsh but I really can’t believe what’s happening.’
Speaking about the new scheme, children and families minister Michelle Donelan said: ‘Periods are a normal part of everyday life and we do not want young people missing out on lessons because of them.
‘We know that it is not easy for everyone to access period products where and when they need them.
‘This scheme will deal with those problems so young people can go about their daily lives without getting caught out if they have come on their period unexpectedly, forgotten to bring products with them or if they can’t afford the products they need.’