A campaign to help ensure schoolgirls having their period don’t miss classes has launched in Northern Ireland.
The Red Box Project is a UK-wide network of volunteers that work together to provide free sanitary wear and spare underwear in schools.
Volunteer Claire Best from Bangor is set to place red boxes in three schools in the town - Rathmore, Kilcooley and Clandeboye primary schools - but hopes to launch the scheme across the north in the coming months.
The boxes will be easily accessible through an appropriate member of staff and plain bags are included for discretion. Posters placed in the girls' lavatories signpost the box, its content and location.
Ms Best said: “Period poverty is a very real crisis that’s gripping our society and it’s time that we did something about it. No girl should have to miss a class in school because she doesn’t have access to sanitary wear, and that’s exactly what the Red Box Project aims to tackle.
"We want to provide girls in schools across Northern Ireland with the opportunity to have access to free sanitary wear so they can continue with their education without worrying about their period."
Anyone wishing to donate products or funds to the project should contact redboxprojectni@gmail.com. To nominate a school to get involved contact Claire Best on 07791 248011.
