Manage Their Period: Redbridge Council Partners with Binti to Launch Period Dignity Campaign
This International Women’s Day, Redbridge Council is proud to collaborate with Binti International to launch a period dignity campaign across the borough. The initiative aims to tackle period stigma and provide free access to period products, ensuring dignity for all women and girls.
In May 2021, Surrey County Council became the first in the UK to provide free period products in over 55 locations, setting a precedent for eradicating period stigma. Scotland followed suit in August 2022, becoming the first country in the world to legally ensure free access to period products for all women through the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act.
Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, stated: “ It is appalling that period products that are essential for over half our population are often unnecessarily expensive and not freely available in public spaces in the same way that toilet paper, hand towels and soap is. Accelerating action means ensuring all women and girls have access to them whenever they start.”.
Jas Atwal, MP for Ilford South, added: “21% of women and girls across the UK struggle to afford period products, with some forced to choose between them and other basic essentials like food.* I’m proud of our campaign to promote period dignity and provide free period products in Redbridge and Ilford South, ensuring that no one has to face this difficult choice.” *Action Aid in 2023)
Manjit K Gill MBE, founder of Binti International and recognised by Her Majesty for her work on menstrual health, emphasised: “The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 mandate free toilet paper in workplaces—why not period products? Until the government enforces this as a legal requirement, we will continue helping organisations set up sustainable projects to ensure their staff have access to free products.”
Anjuna Kalsi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Theramex, signed up to the campaign globally for her staff in 2021. This year, for International Women’s Day, she has selected Binti as the charity of the year because she is deeply passionate about women’s advocacy. Her commitment underscores the importance of corporate responsibility in addressing menstrual health and dignity.
Donation bins and collection boxes will be placed in key locations across Redbridge, including libraries and community centers. Residents can donate or collect pads as needed. The Binti app will also help users locate nearby donation points and collection sites.
Binti is the UK’s first period charity with a vision to create a world where all girls have menstrual dignity.
