Periods are a normal part of life, but many girls and young people don't feel confident managing their periods. A “toxic trio” of issues comprising a lack of education around periods, a culture of stigma and shame and the cost of period products are just some of the challenges they face. This can disrupt daily life, impacting their confidence, school attendance and ability to work.
A Period Proud Environment can help change that. We’ve teamed up with Nurofen’s See My Pain campaign to create lasting change for girls and young people with periods. Together we're creating spaces where workplaces, schools, colleges and other institutions actively support girls and young people to manage their menstrual health.
In the uk...
girls
are unable to afford period products – with over half of those using toilet paper or socks as a substitute for period products
girls
say they’ve been bullied or teased by a teacher about their period
girls
say they have spent less than an hour learning about periods in their total time at school.
What is a Period Proud Environment?
A Period Proud Environment tackles the “toxic trio” of issues that girls and young people with periods face and fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where the conversation around periods is free from shame.
A lack of understanding of girls and young people’s needs, paired with a culture of stigma around periods means organisations do not always provide the right support.
By taking small but essential steps, such as:
- Providing free, accessible period products and consulting young people on how best to promote and distribute them
- Normalising conversations about periods and pain
- Providing girls and young people with the knowledge and tools to manage their periods with confidence
Any organisation can create a Period Proud Environment, and we can help you get started with our free, online training. Sign up below.
Plan International UK can also offer exclusive training for your organisations with 15 or more colleagues. If you would like to discuss this as an option, please contact [email protected]
How to create a Period Proud Environment
How well is your organisation supporting girls and young people who have periods? Does it support young people to be open, seek help and understand their periods? Or could it do more?
Together with Nurofen, we're supporting organisations to become Period Proud Environments through our free online workshop.
Who is the workshop for?
Everyone! No matter your job title or function. Any organisation that interacts with girls and young people can sign up for our free online training. This includes schools, colleges, workplaces, youth clubs, sports clubs, and community centres. What matters is a commitment to creating a more supportive environment for girls and young people who have periods, and you can help your organisation achieve that!
What will the Period Proud Environment training include?
The training will build awareness of the challenges girls and young people face in managing their periods and provide best-practice solutions for organisations to become Period Proud settings.
It will include:
- An introduction to the “toxic trio” of issues related to periods
- Practical steps organisations can take to become Period Proud Environments, breaking down stigma and providing the essential tools – including changes to language, distribution of products and how to make small improvements to your facilities – to help girls and young people manage their periods confidently.
As part of becoming a Period Proud Environment, organisations can support young people to become Period Proud Peers to deliver fun and informal period related activities to their friends. To find out more about how to become a Period Proud Peer and to download the handbook, click here.
Why do we need Period Proud Environments?
Gender inequality in healthcare remains a significant issue in the UK. This is particularly evident in the gender pain gap that exists – where pain experienced by girls and women is often less understood, less researched and less effectively treated than pain in boys and men. Menstrual health forms a significant part of this gap, with a lack of understanding and support contributing to the problem.
A lack of education can make girls and young people feel unprepared for their periods and uncertain about what’s happening to their bodies. Many struggle to cover the cost of their periods. And the shame and stigma around periods can make girls and young people withdraw from activities or prevent them from seeking the support they need to manage their menstrual health.
That’s where Period Proud Environments come in. Together we can create inclusive spaces where girls and young people are supported to manage their periods confidently and not feel held back by their periods.
