International Women’s Day 2022 and Hygiene Poverty eradication
BSTC - 8th March 2022
Bradley Stoke Town Council have been supporting the mission to eradicate hygiene poverty from our local communities. Last year, Cllr Michael Hill (Mayor 2021) and Cllr Tom Aditya (present Mayor) inaugurated the Hygiene Bank at Boots Store in Bradley Stoke, in order to help the local communities who are in need.
Councillors Michael Hill and Tom Aditya inaugurating the hygiene bank at Boots Store, Bradley Stoke
Boots since opening its doors over 170 years ago, has a history of promoting this mission. In fact, soap was one of the first non-medicinal products that Jesse Boot, its founder sold in 1849, because he recognised that basic hygiene is the foundation of good health.
The current Mayor, Cllr Tom Aditya said “We believe that everyone has the right to feel good, and access to essential toiletries shouldn't stop that, and welcomes the partnership of Boots and the Hygiene Bank in order to help tackle hygiene poverty in our communities”.
Mayor Tom Aditya added “Every year, March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day to celebrate the cultural, political, social and economical achievements of women. In my humble opinion, our world would mean nothing without women. Their courage that exists in perfect harmony with amazing tenderness saves our world every day. On this day, let me cordially greet all women around and heartily appreciate their contributions, efforts, achievements, and talents. Let me unassumingly join in the efforts to spread the message of gender equality, and work towards building a society free of all gender biases, stereotypes, and discrimination. We also take this opportunity to join in the campaign to raise awareness on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) and period poverty within society”
There is an estimated one in five people in the UK living in hygiene poverty, and whether it impacts someone at school, in their job or in their social life, if someone can't be clean it can have a catastrophic effect on their mental wellbeing. From deodorant, women’s sanitary pad to shower gel, and everything in between, the Hygiene Bank is helping to tackle hygiene poverty throughout the UK. The Hygiene Bank redistribute the products through schools, charities, local authority services and voluntary organisations in the local areas. Last year, the Hygiene Bank have donated over 200,000 toiletries across the UK to those who need them most. This includes frontline NHS staff and vulnerable people living in poverty. Thousands of toiletries, including hand cream, toothpaste, sanitary pads and shower gel, helped and continue to help people to get better access to hygiene essentials during this difficult time for our country.
