Removing period stigma will encourage more women and girls to play sport, minister vows

Removing the stigma around periods will encourage more women and girls to take up sport, a Welsh Government minister has vowed.

It is hoped that improving access to period products at sports facilities, through the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales plan, will help boost female participation in sport.

The plan, launched earlier this year, aims to tackle period poverty by improving access to period products and removing the stigma around periods.

Since 2018 the Welsh Government has invested more than £12m to improve access to period products for children and young people and those on low incomes.

The Welsh Government has said it will work with Sport Wales to look into the impact periods have on those taking part in sport, so consideration can be taken to improve and maintain participation levels.

Wales’ social justice minister, Jane Hutt, said: “It’s important that having a period isn’t an obstacle to taking part in sport and we do everything we can to improve participation levels for women and girls.”

Ms Hutt said the Welsh Government is “committed” to improving the availability of period products in the community, including in libraries, community centres, food banks, leisure centres and sports clubs.

She added: “We want to ensure that having a period doesn’t mean women and girls can’t participate in sport, as we aim to remove the stigma of talking about periods and improve access to a choice of period products.”

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Senedd Member Dawn Bowden, who is the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for arts, sport and tourism, said: “Sport has the potential to empower women and girls, breaking down gender stereotypes and improving women’s self-esteem.

“We are committed to doing all we can to boost participation levels.”

Lowri Roberts, head of women and girls’ football at the Football Association of Wales, said: “To grow football in Wales, we know it is so important that we create inclusive and positive environments where women and girls can be their best self.

“Removing shame and stigma around discussing periods and ensuring better access to period products at sports facilities will go a long way to support this.

“We look forward to seeing how the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales Plan, alongside the research conducted in this field can further accelerate the growth of women and girls’ football for it to reach its full potential.”