Glasgow pantry makes period products free during cost of living crisis

A Govanhill pantry manager has explained the importance of period dignity and reducing the stigma for women and young girls.

Inga Zaiceva manages the pantry at Govanhill Baths Community Trust and has seen first-hand the difference the free products including sanitary pads and tampons are making in her local area.

It comes as Glasgow City Council continues to promote period dignity month with three pop up events taking place where people can come along, have a chat with the team and get some free products including unicorn cups and period pants.

Ms Zaiceva explained that there are many reasons why some women might feel uncomfortable obtaining period dignity.

She said: “Period products have been needed in the area where I work in Govanhill.

“It can be young girls who come to us or big families with loads of children as well who need to take away five packs of period produce every week because they need it.

“Our pantry offers sanitary towels, tampons and various other products that help with hygiene.

“Smaller families will maybe take one or two and some people will try and take products for someone else.

“The pantry network is membership led but we always want to help and we say that period products are for anyone who can come in and help themselves.

“People are struggling a lot through the cost of living crisis and I am not just talking about people on benefits – people who are working are finding it hard.

“We offer products for free so people don’t feel they have to make a choice between that and a bag of potatoes for example.

“Young Muslim girls who need period supplies are not likely to collect them in front of men. So they come to us – put what they need in a basket, we put it in the bag and they go on their way.

“There is no stigma attached so people can come in and pick it up.”

Period dignity events will be held on Friday, February 23 at Buchanan Galleries from 11am to 2pm, on Wednesday, February 28 at The Forge Shopping Centre from 11am to 2pm and on Friday, March 1 at the Lochs, Easterhouse from 11am to 2pm.