Thread by @MForstater

#periodpoverty -- It is often said that this is a major cause of school absenteeism by girls in UK. What is the evidence?

Interesting white paper by PHS (company awarded the Department for Education contract to deliver 'free' products to all schools)

phs.co.uk/media/2401/phs…

89 % of teenage girls *believe* that period poverty is a real issue

But in the PHS survey not being able to afford supplies is the *least* common reason cited for missing school due to periods....

The main reason (40x more prevalent) was pain.

28 % of girls said they missed school more than once. Mainly because of pain.

2% of those who missed school said it was because they couldn't afford period products.

So that is 1 in 200 girls (and no research about what other challenges these girls and their families face)

Is giving PHS a contract to deliver "free" products to schools solving a problem in addressing why girls are missing school?🤔

Why isn't pain management addressed? i.e. making it easier for girls to cope w periods and period pain at school, or take time off if they need to

What wld a "period friendly" school look like? eg (1) Single sex toilets (2) policy on pain management e.g. can u miss PE? sit in the medical room w hot water bottle? (3)emergency sanpro & meds easily available (4) education eg on endo, ibuprofen more effective than paracetamol

Is focus on #periodpoverty really solving an issue in schools, or is it a good business opportunity for PHS, and brand awareness for P&G etc... ?

How many schools have a written menstruation policy?