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Period equality research in the UK#createperiodequality #phsperiodequalityPeriod equality:Breaking down the barriers

phsphs Period EqualityNow we’re talking 03Periods - the impact on learning 04Access to sanitary products 09The bigger picture – key changes 12The barriers 13Raising awareness 19phs phs Period Equality – what we’re doing 20

It is no surprise, therefore, that important issues surrounding poverty have - such as access to period products and period poverty have women in our communities have been and continue to be denied proper access to essential basic products - adversely impacting their  research demonstrates, much more needs to be done so that our  suggested that the inability to access period products can have a  In April 2021, we went back to 13 to 18-year-olds at school or college lives, how it impacts their learning, whether period poverty is a real issue, what they think the barriers are to period equality, and  teenage girls during 2020-21 but also changes in period equality perceptions over the last two years since our last survey, the impact  Now we’re talkingTalking about periods has long been a taboo topic with many too embarrassed or ashamed to discuss this wholly 

3535%More than a third of teenage girls have had to take time period - a  have been unable to do their schoolwork because of  period  say period cramps leave  Missing school due to their period remains the biggest cause of absence for girls, in the UK are now likely to miss school or college Periods and their impact on learning2828%Just over a quarter **Questions and options presented in the  told their school they had a 3131%of girls blamed a cold, for their period related 3737%did not feel able to give the real 1313%

Which of the following has ever applied to you?I have had to miss out on day-to-day activities school/college more than 3939% 3535%I have been unable to do my schoolwork 2727%I have been unable to leave the house because 2626%I have had to take time 2121% 2121% 22%22%

more than once because of their period?SouthWestNorthernIreland%Scotland%SouthEast% %East of England%Greater London%East Midlands%West Midlands%NorthEast%North West%Wales%Yorkshire & the %Regional split: UK plus Republic of Ireland miss school/college  to your period? Quite likelyNeither likely nor unlikelyUnlikely Prefer not to say% % % % % %Republic of Ireland %

If you have had to take time did you give?Average number of school or learning days lost each term for the following reasons:What were the reasons for missing school because of your period?Period crampsPeriod-related illnessEmbarrassed about being on period I did not have any period products available to me%%%%%%%days2daysdays2daysdaysdaysdaysdaysBeing onyour period  Family emergency Truancy Stress Mental health%I told them it was due to my period%I told them I had general illness%I told them I had a headache%I told them I was on holiday%I told them a parent/relative was unwell%I told them I needed to focus on my mental health%I did not feel I could tell them the reason%Prefer not to say%

The importance of being able to attend school The importance of being able to attend school    Missing school due to their period remains the biggest cause of absence for girls and, on average, they are continuing to miss three days each term - hovering at the same level since 2019   SummaryThat around a quarter of teens feel unable to do their schoolwork    And compounding the problem is the stigma that continues today in their absence, choosing to blame ailments such as a cold or headache,  facing a massive educational disadvantage through no fault of 

When asked the reason for missing school, say they don’t have any period sanitary products available to them - in 2019, Access to sanitary productssay they missed school or college because  have had to make do without sanitary products Again, this compares starkly with 2019, when only 25% of studentsAs a result, more than a third have resorted to using something other than a sanitary   

I have been unable  sanitary products13%9%2%75%Someone I know has been unable to products61%17%17%5%I have had to do without sanitary products during my period71%10%3%15%I have had to use something else while on my than sanitary 14%20%63%3%I have worn sanitary products longer than I should have21%17%58%4%I have had to steal sanitary products12%5%81%3%Yes, within the last 12 months Yes, but not within the last 12 months No, never Prefer not to say

Girls are increasingly struggling to access Girls are increasingly struggling to access  This is borne out by our latest research, which This is borne out by our latest research, which reveals marked increases in key statistics over reveals marked increases in key statistics over   The survey shows that 1 in 7 girls are now unable to access the  Moreover, an alarming 1 in 9 are now missing school because they  SummaryA quarter of students are going without sanitary products during their period - one-tenth between April 2020 and April 2021 - representing  In some cases, girls who are unable to access sanitary products are resorting to using alternatives, spending their lunch or travel money on these basic items, borrowing them from friends, wearing sanitary  Furthermore, our latest study was conducted in April 2021, which was 

The number of teens likely to miss learning Based on UK research statistics from the last two years, there has been a: 77%increasein the number of girls taking time  The bigger picture – key changes As many as1 in 7 girlsnow miss school due to a lack of availability of sanitary products 2525%increase in the number of girls going without It is pertinent to observe the It is pertinent to observe the changes that have taken place changes that have taken place   What we can see are marked rises in the number of girls missing school because of their period and a lack of access to  It is shocking to report an increase from 3% to 25% in the number of students going without sanitary products and a 15% rise in teens who say they are likely to miss  This research starkly demonstrates that, far from diminishing with time and increased awareness of the issues, the need to tackle period inequality is more  of learners that have been able to access free products at their school, due to most Summary

When asked the reason for missing school, in the UK think that period poverty - where  agree that period poverty is not taken seriously period poverty is not fully understood by the of girlsThe barriersthink that free sanitary products should be provided at schools and colleges while 45% believe they should be made available to  To tackle period poverty, 7 in 10 girls say they do have access to free sanitary products - a large drop currently have access to free sanitary products while learning, although  products should be made available Just over a quarter have access to free sanitary items in an open basket in the school washrooms, while only 1 in 8 can get them from a free vending machine - even though 45% think they Less than 1 in 5 

 normally have access to free sanitary products while at school or college said free sanitary products when needed would be by far the biggest help to them while on their period at school, followed by having  As many as 44% feel that access tothere is a lack of education over matters such as periods and contraception 36% believe thatis the biggest barrier facing young girls at school - more than double the 8% who thought it was the case two years ago - along with a lack of access to In fact, 17% say that a lack of education access sanitary products holds them back from attending school every day 

Total   Y56% 49% 63% 55% Yes, somewhat35% 37% 27% 40% No9% 14% 11% 5%Age of respondentsYes,Yes,SomewhatNoEast ofEngland% % %Greater London% % %East Midlands% % %West Midlands% % %NorthEast% % %North West% % %NorthernIreland% % %poverty is a real issue? Scotland% % %SouthEast% % %SouthWest% % %Wales% % %Yorkshire & % % %Republic of Ireland% % %

What do you consider to be the biggest barrier facing young girls at school in the UK?Free sanitary products at schools/colleges Free sanitary products in public places Raising awareness Free sanitary products for everybody Access to sanitary products in food banks Educate more people about periods Remove the stigma around periods Petitions/campaign No action needs to be taken school due to a lack of access to sanitary productsLack of education when it comes to things such as periods and contraceptionSocial media pressuresPressure to do well% % % % %What action do you think needs to be taken to tackle period poverty? %%%%%%%%%%

  When girls were asked where they thought they should have access to free sanitary products outside the home, the school or college toilets  during the pandemic?Free sanitary products Schools in England can access free period products through the  with phsphs If you are a school or college in England, contact us today at  believe free sanitary products should be provided in school 61%favour an open basket 45%would like to see them in 46%would like to see them available from a free vending machine in 45%suggest sending them directly to girls at home who say they 43%say it would be helpful 41%would like to access them at a gym or 40%27%Yes59%No 14%Not sure

Clearly, big steps are still needed to tackle period Clearly, big steps are still needed to tackle period poverty and inequality, but what should be done? poverty and inequality, but what should be done? There is no more valid an opinion than that of the very people this study has reached out to, once again, in a bid to achieve greater awareness of the issues and campaign for a better deal:  If nine in 10 girls in the UK are saying that period poverty is a  While most learners across the UK can access free products, there is still some work to do around the education and awareness of these products to ensure the products are being accessed by  Most girls in the UK feel they are being let down and that those giving period inequality and poverty the priority it deserves or  Seven in 10 girls think that providing free sanitary products in schools and colleges - among other places - will tackle period   Whatever the barriers, we need to make sure that we are listening Summaryare considered, that changing opinions and perceptions are noticed and taken on board, and that prompt, measurable action is taken to  on, and in spite of the unprecedented challenges and impact of the notable limbo and even more urgency required to address some areas - such as the rising perception that a lack of education is  have access to free sanitary products while at school or college said invaluable, irretrievable time at school due to closures and restrictions but there has been a double whammy of not having been provided  The economic impact of the pandemic itself will have undoubtedly 

More than half of girls or college does not take part in any such  who are aware, would like their school or college to participate in a national scheme  in the UK are not aware of any national schemes to provide free products in schools and colleges, although awareness is better Raising awareness

Are you aware of any national schemes to provide free period products in schools/colleges?Awareness of any national schemes to provide free period products in schools/colleges:41%Yes59%No I would like my school/college to participate in a national scheme providing free sanitary products:Strongly agreeSomewhat agreeSomewhat disagreeStrongly disagree%%%%%Neither agree nor disagreeEast ofEngland%Greater London%East Midlands%West Midlands%NorthEast%North West%Northern Ireland%Scotland %South East%South West%Wales%Yorkshire & %Republic of Ireland%

phsphs Period Equality – what we’re doing we created a free-vend sanitary dispenser for washroom installation, providing girls and women with instant and discreet access We have also been working with the UK’s  new Period Product Provision scheme with the aim of ensuring free period products are available to students who need them in state-maintained schools and colleges opinions of girls surrounding period equality  issues, raise awareness, develop further initiatives and achieve tangible improvements  We were appointed to the UK Government’s partnership with Bloody Good Period, phsphs is with improving access to period products for   In consultation with schools, local authorities and FM providers, we developed a free-vend sanitary machine that we believe is the best solution to provide free sanitary products  Located within washrooms, girls can simply open the vending drawer and take their  It’s not only convenient; it’s also discreet method of distributing products without the embarrassment of having to ask a teacher  phs phs free-vend sanitary machines free of charge should have access to free sanitary products - Together, we can make periods from holding young people back!

At phsphs, we understand that, as great as it is to be a teen, it’s  to provide support and advice for schools and teenagers   Advice for teens