EFA / Harbour Mural Project

Special Report: EFA - Education For All - Harbour Mural Project March 2021
Newcastle YMCA

What Happened?

During the pandemic it YMCA Newcastle competed a assessment of need and it was noted that poverty was increased especially for young women and girls who did not have monies to access basic sanitary products or felt periods were something to be embarrassed about or ashamed off. As part of the project we will purchase and provide free sanitary items for those who need them in the aim of breaking down the barriers to education and participation due to Period poverty.

Periods are natural and no woman or girl should be prevented from realising their full potential due to period poverty. Newcastle YMCA was successful in securing £12.000 of funding from the EA youth service. This lead to a dual programme which would support young people and community through workshops focusing on the impact of poverty on young women locally and globally as well as ensuring access to free sanitary items.

The mural serves as visual empowerment locally and globally through the visual representation of women and girls from all around the world and the beautiful poem which was donated by street artist Dermot McConaghy ( A time will come) which is on the mural at the Harbour in Newcastle Co.Down.

Who was Involved?

The project was a co designed and powerful imagery created through collaborative working with 30 young people from the YMCA Newcastle, youth work team and funded artists from the Arts Council.

The mural was completed in March 2021 and profiled to the community, the piece ins representative of emerging change in community and Global equality for women. (SDG)

Each face in the mural represent the past, present and future for women and girls around the world.

Why Did It Matter?

Statistics have shown 49% of young woman age 14-21 have missed school or college due to their period, citing no access to sanitary items and fear of stigmatisation.

1 in 10 young woman aged 14- 21 could not afford the basic sanitary items.

Period poverty is a very real issue impacting young women and girls, there has never been a better time to create a positive impact project in our communities then during the Global pandemic.