Calls for more menstrual education in university made by Bangor Students Union

Undeb Bangor, Bangor University's Student Union

Bangor Students' Union have called for more menstrual education within university settings

following Welsh Government action regarding menstrual education in schools following the

Deputy Minister for Social Partnership’s vows to improve menstrual education in schools.

The revised Curriculum for Wales mandates that students study the menstrual cycle and

menstrual health, says the Government announcement.

The lessons that should be taught to children as they get older are outlined in the Relationships

and Sexuality Education Code.

Nyah Lowe, President of the Students Union at Bangor University, has said: ‘I think that we can

improve menstrual cycle awareness and period dignity in universities by increasing the

awareness of people who don’t menstruate to people who do menstruate.

I think at the point you enter university most people are aware of their cycles and how to manage

them, but I think a large part of it is trying to build that understanding with the people who don’t

menstruate to the people that do and to support them.’

The Government article says: ‘Two core aims of the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales

plan are to tackle period poverty, by improving access to period products, and ensuring period

dignity, by removing any sense of stigma or shame associated with periods.'

As a way of combating this on a university level, Nyah Lowe has said: ‘I think it’s also really

important that not all people who menstruate are women and so there needs to be a bit of

understanding around that and I don’t think there’s very much in the curriculum about that.’

‘I also think that in sports, there’s not a huge amount of education about how to manage periods

through sport. If you’re doing watersports, should you or should you not compete if you are on

your period and what products are best to use in those settings.’

Jaime Johnston, a student at Bangor University and Project Officer for Bystander Intervention

Training at the university, said: ‘With menstruation happening with every person with a uterus, it

is imperative that a full comprehensive understanding is had on the subject.

Especially for teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to that

education from a parent or guardian.’

Education Minister Jeremy Miles has said: ‘We are striving to improve education resources

around periods and ensuring period dignity is considered in guidance for schools, local

authorities and colleges.’

Despite this, there are no claims to make this educational change to universities and higher

education.

Nyah Lowe, President of Bangor Students’ Union added: ‘‘There should be an understanding

and tolerance from people who don’t menstruate and try to build that within university

communities.

Trying to get better education around menstruation in sport and how to manage that, but also the

options available to people both for sustainability of the planet and financially, but also what

works for you.

’Nyah Lowe continued: ‘It’s also trying to reduce the stigma around periods and menstruation within university.’