Same Shit, Different Crisis? Feminist Activism against period poverty during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK

Moments of crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2007 financial crisis, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the United Kingdom, create unique opportunities and challenges for feminist activism. Despite increased awareness, little is known about how organisations engaged in menstrual activism responded to the increased demands of tackling ‘period poverty’ during the pandemic. This article addresses this gap through interviews and survey responses with representatives from such organisations. Findings reveal that period-poverty initiatives (1) constitute a continuation of feminist anti-austerity activism, (2) highlight the triple jeopardy faced by women, and (3) create possibilities for feminist activism that address gendered inequalities. By applying an intersectional feminist ethic-of-care lens, this article provides original insights into the challenges and opportunities organisations faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research underscores the necessity for policy interventions that integrate feminist principles to support period-poverty initiatives, ensuring sustainable and equitable solutions. This article contributes to the burgeoning literature on period poverty in the UK, offering implications for feminist activism, organisational practice, and policy development to mitigate gendered economic and social disparities.