FREE PERIODS IN SCHOOLS
We were tired of waiting. We knew that under the Equality Act, the U.K. Government had an obligation to make sure that all young people are in school. If periods were a barrier to young people receiving that education, then it was clear that the Government had to put in place measures to eradicate that.
Our solution to that was to ensure provision of free period products in all state-maintained English schools and colleges.
In January 2019, we joined forces with the Red Box Project and began to work with human rights lawyers (barristers Schona Jolly QC and Claire McCann and Hausfeld law firm) to build up a robust legal case. In April 2019, the Government agreed.
From January 2020, every state-maintained school and college in England has been able to order free period products for their students. Success!
But the COVID-19 pandemic has been disastrous for the elimination of period poverty. Schools closed. Jobs were lost. Incomes shrunk or dried up altogether. Young people have told us that they are struggling to manage their menstrual health. They are asking for help because having a period every month is a huge and unavoidable financial burden, one that’s felt most acutely by the most vulnerable and marginalised.
We have found out that, although the Government is offering free period products to all English schools and colleges, take up has been disappointedly low. Only 40% of eligible institutions had signed up for the scheme at the end of 2020.
Why? There has been some confusion in schools on how best to access the scheme, and because period stigma silences any need for products (with many young people feeling uncomfortable asking for them), schools may not realise how urgent and pressing the need for free provision really is. And with COVID-19 impacting every corner of society, schools and colleges also have conflicting priorities when considering the health and safety of their pupils.
YOU CAN HELP!
At Free Periods, we don’t think this is acceptable. We are raising awareness of the scheme and encouraging schools and colleges to opt-in. Not only will this address young people’s menstrual needs, it will remedy any danger of revoking the scheme – a potential threat if schools don’t sign up.
You can support our mission by:
Using this template letter to get in touch with your local school or college, and let them know about the scheme;
Posting our graphics on social media, to spread the word;
Reading up on the guidance on the scheme and how to place orders.