Unum UK joins the fight against period poverty with Hey Girls partnership
- Period poverty affects around one in ten people in the UK
- Millions of people no longer able to afford basic period protection
- This forces people to use makeshift solutions, miss education or work — suffering a loss in personal dignity1
Leading employee benefits provider Unum UK is joining the crusade against period poverty by teaming up with community partners the Hey Girls network to launch a period dignity scheme across its UK sites.
As of today, Unum UK will be stocking free, sustainable products in all bathrooms to help reduce period poverty and the shame and stigma that exists around menstruation.
All products purchased through the partnership will be matched with a donation to community partners through Hey Girls including foodbanks, women’s refuges, and homeless shelters to support those who need it most.
The partnership is also great for the planet too, with Hey Girls sustainable products and reusables saving over 9 million plastic bags from landfill2.
This partnership is part of Unum’s ongoing commitment in prioritising employees’ health and wellbeing.
1 Period poverty, Hey Girls website
2 Hey Girls Impact Report, 2021
Liz Walker, Chief Operating Officer, says:
“Unum UK is delighted to partner with Hey Girls and proud to support them with their mission to eradicate period poverty in the UK.
“Building the best possible place to work and supporting employee wellbeing in a sustainable way is one of our biggest priorities. We understand that improved access to high-quality period products and promoting positive conversations around period health is fundamental in maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace.
“The Hey Girls ‘buy one, donate one’ business model allows us to extend our reach beyond our workplace, perfectly supporting our own mission to help more people.”