Student in home-made costume is raising funds for period poverty charity
IF you’re wandering around Cardiff and spot a man dressed as a sanitary towel, don’t be alarmed. You’re not hallucinating.
Shreshth Goel, 19, is running 5k every day of February, in a home-made costume to raise money for Freedom4Girls.
The second-year law student is hoping to raise awareness of period poverty after reading some shocking statistics on the charity’s website.
“I came across a website with all these statistics and data which were very disturbing. I thought if this fundraiser could make a difference then why not do it?” said Shreshth, who currently lives in Cathays.
Shreshth made the fancy-dress suit using a fried egg costume which he painted red with acrylic paint.
“My family helped me out with the costume because obviously I’ve never had a period so I wasn’t sure what it would look like, so I was constantly sending pictures of the costume. They were so nice about it. My sister was really supportive, and she was one of the first people I told. She said definitely go for it!” he said.
He aims to raise £500 for Freedom4Girls, a charity set up in 2016 to fight period poverty in the UK and Africa.
According to their website:
“We work to support those who menstruate by challenging the stigmas, taboos and gender inequalities associated with menstruation. We do this by providing education, providing period products, promoting product choice and supporting environmentally and financially sustainable options.”
https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk
Period poverty is a worldwide issue that affects millions of people who cannot access or afford safe sanitary products.
“This is a fantastic fundraiser for our charity. Not only does it support us in helping people enduring period poverty it also breaks down the stigma and taboos around periods, showing that men understand the issues that many are suffering too,” said founder of Freedom4Girls, Tina Leslie.
“Good luck, we will be watching as the fundraiser unfolds.”
Shreshth is frustrated that talking about periods is a taboo and said that one of his reasons for the fund-raiser was so that he could break that stigma.
“I’ve seen so many memes online about guys saying ‘When my girlfriend is on her period, I just leave her alone because she’s so moody’ but it’s natural, it’s a monthly thing,” he added.
He has had a positive reaction online so far, with 922 likes on a post he published to the ‘Overheard at Cardiff University’ page (at time of writing).
“The mixed reaction of people, that’s one challenge that there could be. That was the one thing I was afraid of, that people would be disgusted by the costume!” he said.
But so far, he has only made people in Bute Park smile.
Period Poverty in the UK
On January 1, 2021, the so-called tampon tax, which classified sanitary products as luxury items for VAT purposes, was abolished.
Cardiff Council is continuing its 2019 plan to address period poverty by using Welsh Government funding.
“Over £117,000 is allocated to Cardiff to help ensure that all girls and young women can access good sanitary facilities when they need them, including free feminine hygiene products and additional sanitary bins,” said Sarah Merry, cabinet member for education, employment and skills.
A scheme was launched to provide free period products to school pupils over the Christmas break. Almost 15,000 packs of eco-friendly sanitary products were delivered to secondary schools to be used by pupils in need during the school holidays.
“Ensuring that pupils can still access the products they need while schools are closed is essential in making sure they do not feel shame in relation to their periods, and this latest initiative helps to address this in addition to affordability,” said Coun Merry.
- Look out for Shreshth running around Bute Park, Roath and other routes through Cardiff. If you would like to donate to his fundraiser, click here or visit the Instagram page: ‘safeperiodsforyou.’
