Period products rollout in schools

In response to the rollout of free period products in schools across England, which will begin from Monday 20 January, Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, says:

“We are thrilled to see the government take this hugely positive step towards ending period poverty.

“We know that some girls miss school because they don’t have period products, and that they have had to use items like toilet roll and socks because they can’t afford anything else. So having access to a range of period products at school will make a very real difference to many girls’ lives.

“But it’s vital that the rollout of products is managed in a way that makes them easily accessible for girls. Our research has found that only a third (31%) of girls feel comfortable asking teachers for period products, and only half of teachers (52%) think their school adequately supports students in managing their periods.

“We will only truly solve the problem of period poverty by providing quality education around menstruation, supporting schools to roll out the provision of products in the most accessible way, and breaking down the stigma that surrounds menstruation, in the school environment and beyond.”