Discrete kits containing feminine hygiene products will be freely distributed to women seafarers in need at the Port of Tilbury.
The UK-based maritime charity Seafarers Hospital Society will supply the port and the London International Cruise Terminal with free feminine hygiene products to support the health and welfare of women working at sea.
The charity said this pilot project aims to address a gap in many existing facilities and welfare provisions onboard vessels and in ports, which are often designed with the needs of male seafarers in mind and therefore fail to account for the specific healthcare requirements of women.
The project is funded by a £25,000 grant provided by the TK Foundation and The Seafarers’ Charity, and will allow for the creation and provision of 1030 feminine hygiene kits for women seafarers.
Over the next 12 months, SHS said it will provide 1000 discreet bags of sanitary products, containing a mixture of sanitary towels, tampons, period pants, at the London International Cruise Terminal.
SHS will also work with the Port of Tilbury, in partnership with the QVSR London Tilbury Seafarer Centre, to provide 30 discreet bags of sanitary products (sanitary towels and period pants only) to be distributed via the Port Chaplain to women seafarers from cargo ships.
Sandra Welch, CEO of the Seafarers Hospital Society, said: “Although maritime stakeholders often discuss the visible challenges women in our workforce may face – such as harassment (including sexual harassment), bullying, and discrimination in terms of pay, training and opportunities – the more subtle hurdles of a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and the significant impact on a female seafarer’s ability to perform her duties tends to be left unremarked.
“This must change. I hope this innovative project makes visible this gap and paves the way for similar projects to be created across other ports in the UK.”
Deborah Layde, chief executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, noted: “This project emerged from research we funded into the welfare needs of women on cargo ships, conducted by Seafarers’ International Research Centre at Cardiff University.
“It is our hope that this pilot will help shipping companies reflect on how they can best assist their female crew on board with their wellbeing, as well as improving rates of retention and attracting more women to the industry.”
