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Managing your period at school can present significant challenges. From a lack of understanding to limited restroom access, several factors can make dealing with your period at school difficult. However, it's possible to transform your school into a space that's more inclusive and supportive, ensuring no one feels disadvantaged because of their period. Whether you're a student, teacher, or parent, there are actions everyone can take to make school a more period-friendly place.
Steps
Introducing Period-Friendly Policies
Ensure your school offers free period products. Period poverty affects many individuals, leaving some without access to the necessary period products. Providing free products not only assists those who cannot afford them but also ensures that anyone in need can access them. Remember, menstruation is a natural process, and it's unreasonable to expect people to pay for something they cannot control. Ideally, period products should be available in every restroom, including those for staff and those with disabilities. Additionally, keep some stocked at the school office, with the school nurse, and in counseling areas.
- Consider that some transgender individuals may menstruate, so it's important to also have supplies in boys' restrooms. Make sure they're discreetly placed, such as inside a cubicle.
- Ensure every restroom has a bin for disposing of disposable period products, and that it is emptied regularly.
- Offer a range of products so individuals can choose the one that works best for them, including reusable items that can be taken home and reused.
Ensure adequate restroom access is available. This means not only allowing people to use the restroom whenever necessary, but also ensuring that enough restrooms are open throughout the school. Period products need to be replaced frequently to prevent leaks or infections. While pads can last up to eight hours and tampons for six, they may require more frequent changes if they fill up faster. Access to restrooms is vital for individuals who need to start their period or change their product. Failing to do so can cause discomfort and leakage.
- Remind your school about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious condition that can result from leaving a tampon in for too long. People should be allowed to change their tampon whenever necessary to reduce the risk of TSS.
- If your school doesn't have enough restrooms, advocate for additional facilities. Restrooms should also be cleaned and maintained regularly.
- Teachers may be more open to allowing students to use the restroom if a bathroom pass or sign-out sheet is in place.
Advocate for menstrual education in schools. Periods can begin as early as age eight, so it's important that everyone understands what they are and how to manage them. Many individuals start their periods with little information, causing unnecessary anxiety and confusion. Teaching about menstruation from a young age helps students feel prepared and reduces stigma, enabling open conversations. Ensure there are opportunities for questions, whether anonymously or directly.
- Menstrual education should be inclusive of all students, not just those who menstruate. Even those who don't experience periods should learn about them to support their peers.
- Avoid euphemisms like "that time of the month" or "Aunt Flo," as they perpetuate embarrassment and stigma. Instead, use clear, direct terms like "periods" and "menstruation."
- Ensure that the person providing the education is well-informed to avoid spreading myths or inaccuracies.
Provide staff training on menstruation. Many school staff, including those who menstruate themselves, may not know how to support students during their period. Offering training for all staff members helps them understand menstruation, its effects, and how they can assist students. This approach encourages an environment where students feel comfortable discussing their period openly.
- The training should include awareness of conditions such as endometriosis and PMDD.
- Staff should be mindful that some students may experience emotional difficulties before or during their period. Offering extensions for assignments can help students manage these challenges more effectively.
Consider menstrual needs during Physical Education (PE). PE can be particularly difficult for those who menstruate. Cramping and discomfort can affect performance. Make sure PE teachers understand that not every student can perform at their best at all times, and some may need time to rest during certain lessons.
- Some PE teachers may dismiss menstrual discomfort as a mere excuse, so it's essential for them to understand how periods impact physical activity.
- If swimming is part of your school's PE program, allow students to sit out if they are on their period. Although menstrual cups and tampons are options, not everyone feels comfortable using them, and students shouldn't be forced to do so to participate.
Ensure awareness of the school’s period policies. Clearly stating the school’s period-related policies ensures everyone knows their rights and can hold the school accountable. If policies are not documented, the school may deny or dispute their existence. Having written policies helps clarify what is expected and provides a basis for students and staff to address any unmet needs.
- Ensure that the policies are open to review and modification if necessary.
How to Get Your School to Listen
Talk to your headteacher. The headteacher is responsible for the overall management of the school and must take feedback seriously. You can choose the best method to communicate, whether face-to-face, via email, or by writing a letter.
- Alternatively, you could approach a deputy headteacher or another member of the senior leadership team who might be able to assist.
- Remember, your headteacher may have a packed schedule, so it's a good idea to book a time to meet with them.
Start a petition. Petitions can be collected either online or on paper. The goal of the petition is to demonstrate that there is significant backing for a particular policy. Be clear about what your petition is advocating for, and make sure to share it with students, parents, and staff members. Ensure that each signature is verifiable, which helps maintain the integrity of the petition and prevents fraudulent signatures.
Post posters and distribute leaflets. Posters and leaflets are an effective way to raise awareness and inform people about the issue, as well as how they can get involved. Make sure your posters and leaflets are visually appealing and easy to read, so they grab attention and aren't ignored.
As another option, consider using chalk to write messages around the school grounds. Gather a group of people to help chalk important messages outside the school to further raise awareness.
Join your student council. Becoming a member of the student council gives you the opportunity to influence school policies and voice your opinion on various issues, including how the school can be more period-friendly. You can also gather and consider feedback from other students.
- If you're not part of the student council, you can still share your ideas or concerns with them, as they are meant to represent the student body.
Organize a protest. If other methods of communication aren't working, staging a protest can be an effective way to capture your school’s attention. Make sure everyone knows about the protest—its time, place, and purpose—and prepare by creating signs. Holding the protest during class hours might be especially effective, as teachers will want you back in class, and a large walkout can demonstrate your commitment to the cause. The protest can be held in visible areas of the school, like the playground or entrance.
- Be clear about what you are protesting for, such as challenging a policy that restricts restroom access during classes. A specific request helps the school understand the changes you're advocating for.
- Keep in mind that protests could lead to consequences. The more participants you have, the more likely it is that your message will be heard and less likely that you'll face repercussions.
- Ensure the protest remains peaceful. Avoid any form of violence or vandalism, as this would detract from the cause and harm your credibility.
Engage teachers and staff members in your cause. Many staff members may support your campaign. Their involvement can be very impactful. Not only can they offer advice and help, but they also have the ability to influence school policies and advocate for positive change. Explain your goals and why their support matters.
- Teachers can also help spread the word to their colleagues. If you're uncomfortable talking to multiple teachers, consider approaching one you trust and ask them to assist in spreading your message.
Enlist the help of parents and guardians. When parents and guardians get involved, it increases the pressure on the school to make changes. Ask your parents to reach out to school leadership through calls or emails to urge them to adopt more period-friendly policies.
- If your school has a parent council, ask them to raise the issue at their next meeting and advocate for change.
Take steps to change the law. For those who want to push for broader change, campaigning to alter the law can be a powerful tool to ensure all schools are required to be period-friendly. Be specific in what you're asking for, such as free period products, unrestricted access to restrooms, or better awareness programs. You can drive legal change through different actions, such as contacting local officials (e.g., councillors or MPs), protesting, petitioning, or creating an online campaign. This could lead to changes not only in your school but across the educational system.
- When working towards political change, clarify your objectives. Vague requests like "making schools period-friendly" are less effective. Specify the actions you want to see implemented.
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Research the laws in your area to ensure your school is following the legal requirements. For instance, in Scotland, schools are obligated to provide free period products, so if your school isn't complying, you can reference the law to hold them accountable.
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It's important to note that one in ten people who menstruate suffer from endometriosis, a condition that can make periods even more challenging. Schools should have dedicated support for students dealing with conditions like endometriosis.
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Installing toilet cubicles that include a sink makes it easier for people to clean menstrual cups, offering more convenience and privacy.
