No child should miss school because of their period.
State-funded schools in England have home video people having sexjust made a big leap forward in tackling period poverty: by making free period products available to students.
The move is part of the UK government's scheme to combat period poverty. It comes after years of campaigning by activist Amika George, who founded the Free Periods campaign in 2017 when she was 17.
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Using an online system, schools will be able to order single-use and reusable pads, applicator and non-applicator tampons, and menstrual cups. Schools can also place orders via email or over the phone with the designated supplier, phs Group. Each school has been designated a set budget by the government. That money has been calculated with the estimate that 35 percent of students who menstruate will make use of the products. Colleges in England — which are attended by pupils aged between 16 and 18 — will also be able to order free products.
George, who's now 20, told Mashable it feels "amazing" to see free period products being rolled out in schools.
"This is a huge step towards ending period poverty in the UK and in the fight for gender equality," she said. "It's been almost three years and it's been a struggle to get this far, particularly because of the reluctance we have as as society to talk about periods.
"I'm glad the government have listened, and I'm glad that they've been prepared to invest in the future of young children in this way."
Amika George, founder of Free Periods. Credit: amika george George said that period poverty is much more widespread than people realise in the UK. Research by Plan UK foundthat 42 percent of girls aged 14 to 21 in the UK have used makeshift sanitary products using toilet roll and socks because they couldn't afford sanitary products. Research by Plan UK in 2017 foundthat one in 10 girls are unable to afford period products and 49 percent of girls have missed a day of school because of their period.
SEE ALSO: UK government is campaigning to end global period poverty by 2030"Children are falling behind in their education because of something they don't opt into. As a progressive society, we needed to change that," said George.
"Some girls don't ask because they don't want their parents to feel bad when they say there's no cash."
During the past three years of campaigning, George has spoken with schoolchildren and teachers about access to period products at schools.
"Some schoolgirls have said that for them, it's been a struggle. They're often from families where there's not enough money to pay for heating and with several mouths to feed, period products become a second tier priority," she said. "Some girls don't ask because they don't want their parents to feel bad when they say there's no cash. This will change things for them.
"Teachers will no longer have to bring in products from home for those who 'keep forgetting' to bring their own. It means that we level the playing field, and it's about time that happened."
Amika George, founder of campaign group Free Periods, speaks during a period poverty protest opposite Downing Street. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images So, what's next for the Free Periods campaign?
"We are still working to end the shame and stigma bound up in periods," said George. "It's outdated and it's ridiculous and we all need to work together to end that." She also hopes to try to roll out free period products across Europe.
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Plan UK said it was thrilled to see the move, but said the rollout would need to be managed in a way that makes the products "easily accessible for girls."
"Our research has found that only a third (31 percent) of girls feel comfortable asking teachers for period products, and only half of teachers (52 percent) think their school adequately supports students in managing their periods," Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said in a statement.
"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."
Topics Activism Social Good