To mark Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021, Surrey County Council has launched an initiative with charity Binti International to provide free period products in selected locations across the county.
In doing so, they have become the first county council in the UK to start eradicating period stigma.
Donation bins and collection boxes, where residents can help themselves to pads if needed, can now be found in selected libraries across Surrey.
A Binti app is also available to download so residents can find the nearest location where free period products are available to collect and where people can donate.
Commenting, Leader of Surrey County Council, Councillor Tim Oliver said: “I’m delighted this initiative is launching and it’s something we’re very proud to be a part of.
“Period products should be available to anybody who needs them and it’s great that Surrey is leading the way in making this a reality.
“We would hate to think anybody would suffer in silence without access to these products for fear of shame or indignity.
“That absolutely should not be the case and we hope that this initiative is an important step towards eradicating that stigma.”
Strategic Lead for Equality Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey County Council, Councillor Katie Stewart added:
“Surrey County Council is proud to be involved in this initiative in partnership with Binti International to provide equal access to pads so no one need suffer the indignity of managing their period without period products.
“We hope that Surrey residents will support this great initiative by donating products and that businesses across the county will do so by providing products for their employees, so that more and more collection and donation points across Surrey can be provided.
“It’s time for period dignity across Surrey.”
