Girls’ group: provide free period products in our schools

FREE period products should be available in all schools and women must be better represented in frontline politics, according to Girlguiding, which has launched its requests for the next government.

It comes after the organisation, which describes itself as the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated to girls, said its annual survey last year had shown girls’ happiness levels fell to their lowest levels in 15 years.

Among the issues were concerns about appearance, with more than two-thirds (67%) of those aged between 11 and 21 having said they sometimes feel ashamed of the way they look because they are not like girls and women they see in the media and online.

Girlguiding’s other pre-election asks include appointing a Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, rather than the current situation whereby the role exists as a ministerial post and is usually held by someone with other responsibilities. The change would “put the wellbeing of girls and young women, and the principle of a fairer Britain, at the heart of government decision making,” Girlguiding said.

At least half of those on major political party frontbenches should be women, the organisation added.

Other asks include that the next government should ensure every school and college across the UK has period products available free throughout the school day, and publish “new and inclusive” relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) resources in schools. The Government announced a review of its RSHE guidance for schools more than a year ago. It said its updated RSHE curriculum will be published “soon”.

Girlguiding chief executive Angela Salt said: “Girls are facing more challenges than ever in their day-to-day lives, from appearance pressures and sexual harassment, to worries about their future prospects and the cost-of-living crisis. We must champion this generation of girls now, more than ever, to ensure that their futures are free from limitation and inequality.”