Secondary Education

Plan International’s 2018 Break The Barriers report (1) looking into girls’ experiences of menstruation in the UK found that 48% of the girls they spoke to felt embarrassed by their period, with this figure rising to 56% of 14 year olds. Thorough menstrual education that really prepares girls and other young menstruators of other genders for managing their periods and the ups and downs of life with a menstrual cycle can be hard to fit in to a busy school curriculum.

It’s becoming increasingly accepted that boys really need to be included in the conversation and we could not agree more, it’s the only way we can build a world where everyone can talk about periods free from embarrassment. However many girls in the first few years of secondary still ask for time on their own so they can ask the questions they really want to ask about their experiences and concerns without fear of mocking and teasing. Other issues faced by young menstruators in school (and teaching staff alike) are fears of leaking in class or exams, period pain affecting their ability to function in school and a culture of menstrual shaming or silence.