Period education to be taught in English schools by 2020: Should Scotland follow?
It will be compulsory to teach students about periods in English schools by 2020 and MSP Monica Lennon says “it would be great to see similar steps in Scotland.”
The new guidelines in England form part of a broader overhaul to the sex education curriculum which will also cover issues of consent, domestic violence and staying safe online.
MSP and shadow secretary for Health and Sport, Monica Lennon says she would welcome similar changes in Scotland.
She said: “This is a really positive step that will help to further reduce the unnecessary stigma about menstruation.
Ms Lennon’s 2018 bill secured the provision of free sanitary products for students at schools, colleges and universities across Scotland.
She added: “Scotland is already making great strides toward making schools period friendly with the introduction of free access in school toilets, which my Member’s Bill will make a legal duty alongside the introduction of universal free access to period products.
“It would be great to see similar steps in Scotland towards improving compulsory sex education regarding information about the menstrual cycle.”
Endometriosis UK’s Glasgow support group leader, Stefi McCulloch says she believes it’s crucial Scotland continues to ‘push’ for change when it comes to menstrual education.
Ms McCulloch said: “Menstrual education needs to improve for everyone.
“If we have better understanding of our own menstrual wellbeing, we can be more confident to ask for help when something is wrong can help us with endometriosis & other conditions.”
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition that affects 1 in 10 women in Scotland causing pain, fatigue, heavy bleeding and potential infertility.
Glasgow based sufferer Samantha Dougan, 23, says, “This should be taught in schools.
“I went through so much pain and trauma as a result of my period at school.”
Kimberley Winning, 25, added: “Girls need to know what really is normal and what is not.”
