Over 90 Per Cent Of Girls Are Scared To Go To School On Their Period, Report Finds

Over 90 per cent of girls worry about going to school when they are on their period, a new report has found.

The research, carried out by YouGov and Bodyform, pointed towards period-shaming and teasing being one of the main reasons why girls don't want to go into school while menstruating.

Around 350,000 girls are missing school when they are on their period, which is the equivalent of 2.1 million hours of education.

Over a quarter claimed that being embarrassed, fearful of leaking, not being able to go to the toilet and being teased by fellow pupils were some of the biggest reasons behind non-attendance in class.

The report also highlighted a lack of education for boys on periods, which can result in teasing and shaming. Bodyform says 72 per cent of boys have never been taught anything about the menstrual cycle.

Almost three quarters of children weren't satisfied with their lessons on periods, and 20 per cent of boys didn't know basic facts like whether it is safe to exercise while menstruating.

More than 1,000 children aged 11 to 16 were polled for the study, with nearly half of schoolgirls saying that boys often joke about periods, and lots of this happens right under the noses of teachers.

Pixabay

"Our report indicates a worrying problem regarding a lack of knowledge around periods from boys and a gap in education, resulting in girls fearing going to school while on their period," explained Bodyform's Traci Baxter.

"While period poverty remains a significant issue, our report shows that economic factors are not the only reason girls stay away from school, with shame and fear of embarrassment affecting girls across the social spectrum and the country."

Bodyform is now calling for schools to play a better role in educating kids to ensure periods are normalised the stigma is removed.

The brand isn't alone in trying to end the problems young girls at school face with their periods.

Teenager Amika George is attempting to tackle period poverty by campaigning for free menstrual products for schoolgirls in low-income families.

Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday morning, the teen also stressed that young girls shouldn't be embarrassed about their period.

Amika branded the current way we talk about periods 'outdated', and instead said they should be celebrated as part of womanhood.

Topics: Life News, Real, Sex & Relationships, Health

Rachel Andrews

Rachel Andrews is an NCTJ trained Journalist at PRETTY52. She specialises in Fashion and Beauty Journalism, and has experience at a range of online and print publications and joined the team in 2017. Contact her - [email protected]

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