East Midlands Railway (EMR) is to offer its passengers free sanitary products at its six busiest stations.

The products will be available at stations in Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln and Kettering. By launching this scheme, EMR aims to promote period dignity, supporting passengers who may not be able to afford or access the products they need, particularly when retailers may be closed.

EMR has not stated whether or when it intends to make the products available at its other stations.

A 2019 survey conducted by Plan International UK reported that ten per cent of girls have been unable to afford sanitary products; one in seven have had to ask friends for sanitary products because they could not afford to buy them; and one in ten have improvised sanitary wear. Estimates suggest that over 137,000 children across the UK have missed a day of school due to period of poverty.

Because of ongoing stigma around menstruation, EMR encourages people to use the code phrase ‘Package for Sandy’ or ‘Ask for Sandy’ at the supervisor’s office.

The supervisor will give them a pack of sanitary products discreetly.EMR is working with TOTM, which us a company providing environmentally-friendly period products.

Its tampons, pads and liners are made with certified organic cotton, which is grown without toxic, synthetic pesticides and uses sustainable farming methods.

TOTM uses biodegradable cardboard applicators in place of plastic versions, which can take five hundred years to decompose, an equivalent time to conventional carrier bags.

Charlotte Bishop, EMR Internal Communications Business Partner and lead of the company’s Women’s Employee Network, said, “EMR’s Women’s Employee Network was really passionate about this project and the suggestion to supply free period products to customers came directly from our members.

“Whilst periods are part of everyday life, some people can feel stigmatised by their effects or by the subject. Small gestures like this can make a big difference in people’s wellbeing and comfort.”

Ruby Parmar, Chair of TOTM, said: “It’s time to break the taboo surrounding menstruation. Through this scheme, our certified organic cotton tampons and pads will be made freely available to EMR’s customers to use when needed. It’s a period positive step forward and the change that we love to see at TOTM!”