“Imperative”: School runs campaign to help pupils learn about the ‘reality’ of periods

A school is running a campaign to improve menstrual dignity and empower girls to talk about their bodies. 

Students at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s Gellihaf campus, in Fleur de Lis, have started a ‘Period Dignity Drive’ which aims to educate pupils about how periods work and dispel myths around the topic. 

The school also aims to put together packages that include menstrual products and posters to help promote awareness.

Tracey Neale, the school’s assistant head, said: “We are proud to showcase how we are embedding period dignity in our curriculum and how we are supporting young girls and families across the borough.

“It is imperative pupils are taught about the reality of periods and we remove the stigma of talking about them, so they aren’t afraid to reach out for help and are better informed about them.”

This comes as Hannah Blythyn MS vowed that “more must be done to improve education around menstrual cycles” if period dignity is going to be achieved in schools. 

Ms Blythyn, who is the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for social partnership, recently visited the school.

She said: “It has been a privilege to see first-hand the ‘Period Dignity Drive’ being carried out at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and their efforts to empower young pupils to talk about their bodies in a confident way.

“If we can remove the stigma of talking about periods and dispel the myths and taboos that surround them, we can improve the menstrual wellbeing and awareness of pupils in schools across Wales. This will in turn benefit their health as they become adults.”

Welsh Government’s ‘Period Proud Wales’

Tackling period dignity is part of the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales plan, which aims to improve education resources around menstrual cycles and access to period products.

Menstrual wellbeing and learning about the menstrual cycle are also mandatory within the new Curriculum for Wales.

Education Minister Jeremy Miles said: “We are striving to improve education resources around periods and ensuring period dignity is considered in guidance for schools, local authorities and colleges.

“Menstrual wellbeing is included in our curriculum through the Relationships and Sexuality Education Code, which is currently being rolled out in our schools.

“We’re also working with the higher education sector to promote period dignity as part of institutions’ wellbeing policies and practices.”