Council plans to offer free sanitary products in schools

Period poverty is particularly widespread in low income households. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Rhondda Cynon Taf could become the first council to provide free sanitary products to all schools in the area to tackle period poverty.

Recent statistics from Plan International show one in ten girls (10%) aged 14-21 in the UK have been unable to afford sanitary wear.

One in seven girls (15%) have had to ask to borrow sanitary wear from a friend due to affordability issues.

The council voted in favour of the recommendation by a Scrutiny Committee to provide the products for free. It will now go to cabinet for approval.

It's part of a year long campaign by 26-year-old Plaid Cymru councillor, Elyn Stephens.

It has been found to be particularly widespread in low income households.

Councillor Stephens says she hopes other local authorities across Wales take the same action:

Rhondda AM and plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, praised the work of the councillor:

If approved by the cabinet, the policy could come into force as early as September, in time for the new academic year.

Similar work is ongoing in Bridgend.

The charity Wings Cymru currently donate sanitary products to 14 schools in the area.

They say they hope to be in every school in the borough by the end of the year.