Hey Girls Partnership

RYA Scotland are partnered with Hey Girls to raise awareness about the barriers women and girls have during the menstrual cycle.

Keeping the conversation open and ensuring that sustainable period products are available where people go sailing or windsurfing is an easy first step to take in reducing the barriers to females getting on the water, tackling the anxiety around going sailing and boating during your period.

Statistics from Plan International UK

25%

of girls in the UK are struggling to afford period products.

20%

of girls aged 14-21 in the UK have experienced teasing or bullying around their periods.

Research statistics provided by Women in Sport

71%

of girls often avoid playing sports when they are on their period

43%

of teenage girls who once considered themselves sporty became disengaged from sport after primary school

70%

of girls admit to feeling uncomfortable exercising during their time of the month

By providing free period products at sailing venues, people feel less anxious about taking part in our sport.

Branded Hey Girls Sanitary products at a Sailing Club

This partnership with Hey Girls helps ensure that people within the boating community find accessible places and communities within our sport that make everyone feel welcome, ready to enjoy getting on the water and remove as many anxieties as possible.

Whether you are heading to the sailing club straight from work or going down to your local centre after school, free products in these places mean you don’t need to worry about being caught out or forgetting to bring your own products with you. You can still get on the water and enjoy yourself!

Sustainability is also key, so the environmental impact of period products is a serious consideration and one of the reasons why partnering with Hey Girls has been important given the environmental credentials of their products and packaging. It is vital that everyone plays their part in using and disposing of these products responsibly.

A bit of background...

On the 15th of August 2022, Scotland became the first country to make period products free for all, and under The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 local authorities and education providers will have a legal duty to make free period products available to anyone who needs to use them. The act is now in force you venue can help.

About our partner...

Hey Girls are an award winning social enterprise that are tackling period poverty across the UK. They create plant based sanitary products in all shapes and sizes, they have saved over 9 million plastic bags from landfill via these products.

By purchasing sustainable period products like Hey Girls for your venue, you're helping create a welcoming environment for women and girls, tackling a key potential barriers to their involvement within boating.

Equally in buying one product, Hey Girls donates another one – which helps tackle period poverty across the UK. As of now, RYA Scotland have donated more than 3000 products through this partnership.

If you would like to get involved, please contact development@ryascotland.org.uk or check out the Hey Girls website to place an order!