- Conference
- 2026 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 16 October 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes:
Period poverty is on the rise, with an estimated 2.8 million people affected.
We know that good menstruation health is important and is a valuable marker for overall health. It’s no secret to us women and people who menstruate that we can sometimes feel shame about menstruation, and the stigma about periods prevents people from talking about this topic. This creates barriers and a dread that people may face when managing their periods because they do not have the means to do so, with consequences for their life opportunities and gender equality.
In 2025 no one should be suffering from Period Poverty and yet statistics show this is the case as the cost-of-living crisis continues. We want women as well as trans men and other gender diverse and non-binary people to feel supported when managing menstruation and this should be done with dignity.
UNISON Newcastle City Branch is investigating menstrual dignity at work. Our campaign plans to reduce the shame, stigma, and taboo of periods.
Some Keys facts from Binti Period Organisation.
• 41% of women affected by period poverty keep sanitary pads or tampons in for longer to save money.
• The average person who menstruates spends between £10-£15 per month on period products, not including those who also must supply for any dependants.
• Many of those affected by period poverty said they were prioritising other everyday basics over the period products they need. 60% said they needed to prioritise food and 48% having to prioritise gas/electricity.
• 24% sacrificed period products for themselves so they could afford period products for their dependant.
• 14% of those affected said they have avoided or missed work during their period.
• Women spend a significant proportion of their lives in ill health and disability when compared with men. (Department of Health and Social Care).
Newcastle City Branch asked our members how menstruation impacted on them when in the work. We did this by creating a survey. We had an immediate 127 responses. The quickest response time for any survey we have produced in the branch. Indeed, whilst this is an amazing response when the Department of Health and Social Care put out a call for evidence in 2022, 100k responses were received from Women across the country. And over 400 written submissions from organisation and experts in Health and Care. The Women’s Health Strategy for England policy paper recognised that not enough focus is placed on women-specific issues and women are underrepresented when it comes to important clinical trials. Over 80% of women’s pain is dismissed by a health care professional.
Did people in Newcastle follow the national statistics? What did Women from Newcastle City Branch tell us? – Well, there were no new statistics or facts. We heard harrowing stories and pressures put on people who have regular menstruation. 81% told us they have monthly or regular heavy periods and 58% have had to ask a colleague or friend at work for period products as they have been ‘caught short’. People went further to share their experience.
• 26% of people left a sanitary product in place for longer than they should have and hoped it would last.
• 35% of people used something else such as toilet paper.
• 38% Left work to purchase products.
And over half of the people, we spoke to said that when they leave work to purchase products it can take up to 20 minutes. This is a significant loss to the employer and service delivery adding further stress to our members. Surprisingly, members who completed our survey said they didn’t struggle to buy products as it is not a financial pressure for them, they did say that having sanitary products available in the workplace would provide greater support their health and wellbeing. 98% said YES, we need to see free sanitary products in the workplace. Why shouldn’t we! It happens every month. Toilet paper is free at work – why shouldn’t period products be free!
We know that when using toilet paper at work instead of period products women become distracted and feel uncomfortable. In fact, 46% of women said they worry about bleeding through their clothes.
FACT: When free sanitary products are provided in public toilets and/or workplaces it reduces the overall cost of toilet roll supplied.
When it happens every month, it is a different experience for people. The monthly pressure impacts vary however no one should have to be in a position of stress and anxiety about a naturally occurring menstruation whether this is cost, missing work, or being overlooked for opportunities.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to work with all relevant parts of UNISON to:
• Encourage branches to investigate and research what is available to women, trans men, and other gender diverse and non-binary people in their area. Share these findings with women, trans men, and other gender diverse and non-binary people to help reduce inequalities in relation to menstruation dignity.
• Support branches to reach out to women, trans men, and other gender diverse and non-binary people in their branches and collate their views and experiences to normalise conversations about menstruation and give people the confidence to talk about period dignity.
• Encourage branches to collate any evidence they have which supports links between poverty and health inequalities; specifically, the impact of menstruation on their ability to carry out their role in the workplace and share good practice.
• Campaign to raise awareness of period dignity. Let’s stamp out the shame, stigma, and taboo of periods.
• Support branches to work with employers around BSI standards to improve provision for women within the workplace.
• Bring findings to 2027 National Women’s Conference
Newcastle City Local Government Branch
