Lancaster film-maker highlights shame of ‘period poverty’ in UK

A Lancaster film-maker has made a short film highlighting period poverty in the UK and the need for action.

Libby Burke-Wilde has worked with the Leeds based charity Freedom4Girls to create the hard-hitting film, which is based on a true story.

Libby, 30, who was born in Lancaster but is currently based in London, said she hoped the film would help open the conversation for men as well as women, about a “cycle of shame and poverty” which is happening all over the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The freelance film-maker, who attended Hest Bank Primary School and Casterton School, said: “This short was made with the charity Freedom4Girls - a Leeds based charity that is working to end the stigma around periods and raise awareness about period poverty in the UK.

Libby Burke WildeLibby Burke Wilde
Libby Burke Wilde

“The short is based on a true story and we are trying to get it seen far and wide as it is an issue that is rarely spoken about, but is mind-blowingly prevalent here in the UK.

“The stats speak for themselves, with 49 per cent of girls in the UK having missed a day of school due to their period and 68 per cent of women in UK forced to use makeshift sanitary protection.

“This is such a common yet unspoken cycle of shame and poverty which is happening all over the UK, on our doorstep.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A key part of ending this cycle is ending the silence which surrounds it.

“For girls to be missing out on vital education over something so easily addressed is mind blowing but also telling of the extent to which periods are not talked about. We hope this short will help open the conversation for men as well as women, and end the attitude that this is an issue for women to tackle alone.”

The film, called Absent, is featured on the website Dazed Digital, and can be viewed {www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/46711/1/period-poverty-uk-preventing-girls-going-school-absent-film|HERE}

Related topics: