Charities tackle period poverty

The Sister Society and The Red Box Project hosted The Red Collection Catwalk on Wednesday, November 13.

Held at Komedia, the event featured many local female designers’ pieces on the catwalk and donated to raise funds for The Red Box Project.

Bramble Wallace, 23, co-ordinator at The Red Box Project in Brighton and Hove said: “Period poverty is an issue that is only just coming to light and all the statistics are for 16-24 year-olds but most women start their periods before they are 16.

“What we are trying to do is ensure that no girl in the local area has to suffer period poverty but we need funding to reach as many schools and women as we can.”

The Red Box Project Brighton and Hove is a charity set up to raise funds and awareness to help tackle period poverty on a local and national level.

It teamed up with the feminist network The Sister Society for a night of prizes, catwalks and music.

Cecily Blondel, 29, co-founder of The Sister Society, said: “A lot of people do not realise that period poverty is an issue that is happening so close to their homes and local area and raising awareness for this issue is so important.”

Studies show that one in 10 girls cannot afford sanitary products and nearly half of all young girls aged between 16 and 24 have missed a day of education due to their period.

The event was sponsored by Lewes FC, the only football club in the world to offer equal pay to both its men’s and women’s teams.

The Red Box Project currently collects donations from three drop-off areas in Brighton and Hove.

For more information on how to donate or get involved visit the Facebook page: @redboxprojectbrighton