Shadow Social Justice Minister and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood yesterday highlighted in the Senedd a North Wales ‘Period Dignity’ campaign, which aims to promote how learners can manage their periods with confidence, break down menstrual taboos and normalise conversations about periods, and asked what action the Welsh Government is taking to continue supporting Further Education and Work Based Learning learners who have periods.
A survey by the charity ‘Plan International’ found that 1 in 10 girls aged 14-21 can't afford menstrual products, 12% have had to improvise or do with makeshift menstrual products due to affordability issues, 49% of girls have missed at least one full day of school/college due to their period and 68% said they were unable to pay attention in class.
Questioning the Social Justice Minister, whose equality and human rights responsibilities include the issue of period poverty, in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament over support for learners who have periods, Mr Isherwood spoke of the ‘Period Dignity’ campaign launched by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
He said:
“Working with their Active Ambassadors, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai developed the 'It won't stop us' Campaign. In February 2019, prior to COVID lockdown and government restrictions, they filmed and interviewed a range of athletes from across North Wales to share their experience of managing their menstruation whilst continuing to train. As part of this campaign, the college want to promote the importance of maintaining physical activity to highlight the benefits upon reducing the symptoms of menstruation, and that periods should not act as a barrier to engaging in either learning or active wellbeing.
“Alongside this, they have developed free complimentary exercise resources which learners can do at home and tips on period hygiene and self-care. As the Minister for Social Justice, what discussion are you therefore having with the Education Minister regarding Welsh Government plans to continue to support Further Education and Work Based Learning learners who have periods, including trans learners, over the longer-term.”
The Minister replied:
“I made a Statement a couple of weeks ago on period dignity, again highlighting the fact that we've prioritised this in our programme for Government. We've got our Strategic Action Plan on period dignity as a result of consultation, and I do Chair a round-table with external stakeholders, including those from the education, school and colleges sector. And indeed, we have provided an additional £110,000 to local authorities this year, but that's over and above the £3.3 million to local authorities and colleges every year. What's crucial is the fact that learners are engaged in that round-table. We have ambassadors, and you will have met them, and the next meeting is considering the consultation response on 22 April.”
Mr Isherwood added:
“I was pleased to ask this question on behalf of the College and will now feedback the Minister’s response to them for their consideration”.