Cornwall dad calls for period pain to be made legitimate reason for school absence
Marcus has launched a petition after his 13-year-old daughter was struggling
A dad from Cornwall has launched a petition calling for period pain to made a legitimate reason for pupils having time off school.
Marcus Alleyne, from Roche, decided to take action after his 13-year-old daughter Izzy was left struggling and in a lot of pain last month.
He phoned up the secondary school one morning to let them know she wouldn't be coming in but they told him it would have to be logged an as 'unauthorised absence'.
Marcus said: "The school asked if it was due to period pains, and I said yes it is, she's been up all night, she's feeling rotten, she hasn't slept, we've tried paracetamol and she just needs to rest and recoup. The school's response was that it would be registered as an unauthorised absence."
So the dad of three girls decided to take action and start a campaign, saying there needs to be more understanding about menstruation in schools.
He added: "There are a couple of other concerns around the idea and the notion that society's instilling into our young people in terms of menstruation, of actually you need to suck it up and get on with it.
"But we're not talking about just aches and pains, we're not talking about just feeling a bit under the weather, we're talking about when you get to such a point that you're doubled over in pain, you can't get to school, you can't go on the bus, you can't sit in a room for an hour, you can't have the same toilet privileges that you have at home, and that's why we started the petition."
His petition has already reached over 33,000 signatures.
In his petition, Marcus says: "I am the proud father of incredibly courageous, fierce and strong daughters, the eldest of which attends Secondary School. It not only saddens me that I am urged to write to you, but it also raises significant concerns surrounding the physical, mental and social wellbeing of not only my daughters but all people who have periods across the country.
"I'm sure anyone who has had a period would agree, that at some stage, they have suffered significantly from Dysmenorrhoea, yes there is actually a medical term for ‘period pains’. The reason for this terminology is due to its being a globally recognised medical condition, with a variety of treatment approaches, from over the counter pain relief and a hot water bottle to surgical interventions.
"By not allowing absences due to Dysmenorrhoea, which you are doing by considering them unauthorised, shows very clear disparities, and registering absences as unauthorised due to a medical condition only affecting women and people who menstruate is a clear demonstration.
He goes on to add: "How many young females, trans and non-binary pupils are being dismissed within the education setting, as a result of diminishing their experiences, and unilaterally deciding that their discomfort does not matter."