A project aimed at providing sanitary products to women in crisis has its first outlet in Donegal.
Homeless Period Ireland was inspired by the gritty drama ‘I Daniel Blake’ which focuses on the flaws in the UK’s welfare systems. In it a young single mother is caught shoplifting sanitary towels and other personal hygiene items.
In response to Ken Loach’s award-winning film, Dublin mother Claire Hunt established a number of collection points around the capital where people could donate sanitary products to women in need.
The project has since spread out of Dublin and as of this month, has reached Donegal.
Inishowen woman Aoife Grant has set up a collection point in Buncrana’s Exchange building. She too was inspired to get involved after watching I, Daniel Blake.
“I didn’t know much about period poverty until I watched the film and then I heard Claire doing a radio interview about the project and she spoke of how it had inspired her too. So I Googled her and got in touch and it has gone on from there.”
Ms Grant said since getting involved with Homeless Period Ireland, she has become aware of the difficulties many women and girls face on a daily basis.
“For women in crisis it can be a case of choosing between period products and dinner on the table,” said the mother-of-one.
“Girls are missing school when they have their periods due to inadequate supplies. It’s another hurdle they have to have get over in their lives and it isn’t good enough that having a period each month should be an obstacle to success.
“It is not something any woman should ever have to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”
The Exchange building in Buncrana is open from 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday and on a number of evenings throughout the week. Items can be dropped off there and the collection point will remain open until Friday March 8, International Women’s Day.
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