England's National Department for Education announced last week the launch of the government's free sanitary product scheme. The nationwide program will ensure that young girls do not miss classes during their periods due to the inability to procure the necessary sanitary products. In addition to combating "period poverty", the government wants to address the stigma that continues to surround the topic of menstruation. In this regard, the program will provide primary and secondary schools with various free sanitary products that will also include eco-friendly alternatives.

The governmental scheme has been developed in the light of research that shows that 1 in 10 young girls cannot afford menstrual products. Moreover, according to Plan International UK, more than 137,000 children in the UK have missed classes due to "period poverty".

‘This scheme will deal with those problems so young people can go about their daily lives without getting caught out if they have come on their period unexpectedly, forgotten to bring products with them or if they can’t afford the products they need’, said Michelle Donelan, the minister for children and families.

Amika George, founder of the FreePeriods campaign group, said, ‘We ask that schools have open conversations with students about what they need and start signing up to the scheme – no child must miss out. Free products in schools will ensure that every child can learn and be their very best, without periods holding them back."

Furthermore, Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, emphasized the need for girls to discuss their menstrual needs with their teachers. ‘Our research has found that only one-third (31 per cent) of girls feels comfortable asking teachers for period products, and only half of teachers (52 percent) think their school adequately supports students in managing their periods’. ‘Having access to a range of period products at school will make a very real difference to many girls' lives’, Caldwell added.

The free sanitary products scheme will be replicated in both Scotland and Wales, with Scotland also including universities in their governmental plan.

 

Childhub

You might like..

0
3
When children act out, it is most likely due to the fact that they are struggling to understand complex emotions, and they cannot find a better way to release their feelings. For this reason, schools in England have started to introduce mindfulness…
0
2
‘Innovative Programme’, funded by the British government is designed to help support families where children are at risk of going into care because of their parents’ problems with mental health, domestic violence or addiction. The program aims to…
0
1
A union of charities announced the case of closing England’s child prisons due to the ill-treatment of children meanwhile COVID 19 is intensifying that harm. The announcement originally came out in 2016 but there was nothing done about it. Officials…
0
4
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 many people had to stay at home under certain conditions. The adverse effects of the lockdown on people’s mental health were already discussed and many psychological support centers became available to people in need.…
0
13
The #Chances4Children campaign, launched by Children and Young People Now, aims to create a platform where practitioners, teams and leaders are able to share their experiences and innovative ideas about working with children and young people.…
0
The Orchard Project (TOP) is a nationwide initiative to build and re-fruit urban communities across the UK. Last year the project planted and rejuvenated more than 2000 trees in 70 community orchards. By creating or restoring orchards, the non-…
0
1
Due to the pandemic situation, most schools in England have been closed, with the exception of special schools for Key Worker children and for children considered to be at risk. According to the SEND staff, they are more at risk in this…
0
4
A new 2018 report reveals how national and local government is failing to protect children in England whilst policymakers focus on Brexit, leaving children traumatised, powerless and vulnerable to abuse in many areas of their lives. The State of…
0
6
Recently all frontline officers from the Edinburgh Police have received a training on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how these affect a child's individual behaviour.  "The term Adverse Childhood Experiences  is used to describe a…
0
2
The actors of the play Pizza Shop Heroes will travel to Malta to perform on the migration conference and share their experience with the international and national audience. For some of them this will be the first time to travel legally across…
0
10
"The Lancet " the British medical journal published a report on pediatric pain. A commission of specialists tested the individuals who deal with children to end what they depicted as the basic under treatment of torment in children,…
0
36
The Children’s Commissioner for England released a report examining the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on children. The report found that less than 25% of children attended school since March, during the lockdown. Thousands of children did not…
0
9
Every year on 20th June the World Refugee Day is celebrated worldwide, however in the UK to commemorate the "contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees" a week long festival is organised. They have cultural, educational and art events…
0
1067
Warning signs of racism and racial bullying:  Calling names  Physical damage of belongings  Violent attacks  Exclusion from the community Associating skin colour with personality traits  Being under pressure to change your…
0
2
A specially produced educational material has been published by the PSHE Association about gambling risks. These lessons are going to be part of the personal, social and health education curriculum. The school module would contain secondary lessons…