The government is set to announce plans to end period poverty by offering free menstrual products in English secondary schools.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is expected to make the promise at Wednesday's spring statement. The government funded scheme will be implemented by September this year.
A survey carried out by Plan International in 2017 found that one in 10 girls and women had been unable to afford tampons, pads and other period products.
And 12 per cent of the 1,000 girls surveyed by the charity had been forced to improvise their own - using socks, tissues or other items - because of the cost.
Advert
As The Guardian reports, the government was informed that many headteachers ensure their students have access to period products by providing them themselves.
Other research found that girls miss vital education as they are unable to afford menstrual products, forcing them to skip school on their periods. In 2017, it's thought that 137,700 girls missed school because of this.
Campaigners have welcomed the news of period products being provided in secondary schools.
Shadow minister for women and equalities Dawn Butler called the period product scheme "a victory for all those who have campaigned for an end to period poverty".
Advert
She continued: "It's a disgrace that period poverty exists in the sixth richest country in the world."
Period poverty charity Red Box Power said it was "delighted" by the news, although believes the scheme should also be implemented in primary schools.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that @GOVUK will fund free & universal access to menstrual products in schools (although we know from our work this needs to be in primaries as well as secondaries) A huge testament to everyone who has campaigned ❤️ theguardian.com/society/2019/m…
Wednesday's spring statement will reveal full details of the new scheme, although it's expected that the Treasury will fund it in full with no restrictions. This would mean every single pupil would have access to period products, just like a scheme already implemented in Scotland.
Advert
Scotland's scheme came into play towards the end of last yea to help "banish the scourge of period poverty".
And the Welsh government is tackling period poverty with a £1million fund which sees free sanitary products distributed via community groups, schools and food banks across Wales.
Finally, period poverty is being taken seriously across the country.
Topics: Life News, School, Real