Students not aware of free period products in school scheme
Less than fifth of pupils in South West are aware of the initiative according to a new study
Last updated 28th Jul 2021
A national period product scheme introduced by the government last year aims to provide free period products for all learners in the UK.
Over a year into the launch, an alarming report reveals the only 18% of respondents in the South West are aware of the scheme with the figure falling to 14% in the South East which covers Hampshire.
The Period Equality study shows an increasing number of students missing lessons due to their period.
With the survey asking 'How many girls have had to take time off school/college more than once because of their period?' 37% responded saying they had in the South West while the figure for the South East was 51%
The latest survey by phs Group, supplier of the products for the government scheme, lays bare how period inequality is increasingly the cause of school absence threatening academic achievement and, despite progress made nationally in tackling the issue, many are falling through the net when having to learn at home or on school holidays.
The study, following the effects of the pandemic, uncovers concerning statistics highlighting that period poverty – where people are unable to afford sanitary products – is on the rise and lack of access to them is increasingly disrupting girls’ daily lives.
Warren Edmondson, Managing Director of the phs Group, says things need to change:
"One of the biggest problems is we have to remove the stigma of talking about periods and I think over the last 12 months that has slipped down the priority list in schools.
"The pandemic has meant resources have had to be diverted and focused on other areas understandably, but period poverty has continued while students were learning from home.
"We believe in making sure the education is right, and we have put together lesson plans and resources for schools, carers and friends and family so people can talk about this openly.
"We know pupils who have used tissue or newspaper because they were embarrassed to talk about their period or didn't know where to go. We are committed to address period poverty and helping discussions and education improve because it is a natural thing that should not have a stigma around it."
Period cramps are the main reason for school being missed, along with period-related illnesses such as headaches. Other reasons include not having any period products available and not being able to afford sanitary products.
Two years since the first study, involving more than 1,000 girls aged 13 to 18 years at school or college in the UK, missing school due to their period remains the biggest cause of school absence for girls; on average, three days were lost each term – more than for any other single reason.
It appears that there is still a stigma in talking about periods, with around a third of students blaming another ailment and 13% uncomfortable giving the real reason for their absence.
The research also highlights the desperation of girls having to find alternative ways to manage with their periods.
National figures show a quarter (25%) had gone without sanitary products compared to just 3% two years ago.
Over a third resorted to using non‐sanitary products while just under two‐fifths (38%) used dedicated products for longer than advised – with over a fifth having done so in the last 12 months. It was also found that 12% confessed to having stolen sanitary products at some point.
With schools across the UK now breaking up for the summer holidays, many of those relying on the scheme or girls who could benefit from it may be concerned about what support they will have over the coming weeks.