P-05-925 Don't leave Wales behind - teach menstrual wellbeing in schools
P-05-925 Don't leave Wales behind - teach menstrual wellbeing in schools
P-05-925 Don't
leave Wales behind - teach menstrual wellbeing in schools
This
petition was submitted by Jade Morgan having collected a total of 846
signatures on paper.
Text of Petition
My name's Jade, and for 15
years I was told the severe pain I was experiencing as part of my menstrual
cycle was completely normal. I suffered from excruciating pain, fatigue, and
bowel and bladder related problems – all whilst trying to get through school,
navigate puberty, and pass my exams.
I wish I had known that
what I was experiencing wasn't normal – but symptoms of a common condition
called endometriosis which affects 1 in 10 women from puberty to menopause.
Endometriosis is just one of many menstrual conditions affecting young people –
others include PCOS, PMDD, and adenomyosis. I don't want anyone suffering with
a menstrual health condition to do so alone like I did.
By working with Endometriosis
UK, I hope we can do exactly that by persuading the Welsh Assembly to teach
menstrual wellbeing in schools. Not only would this help break down the taboos
around menstrual health and encourage people to talk openly about their
periods, but also by teaching what is and isn't normal to experience.
Had I been taught at
school what is and isn't normal when it comes to menstrual related pain, I
could have sought help and saved myself years of confusion and heartbreak.
For many, school is a
happy time to look back on. And whilst I definitely had some good times, it's
the falling asleep at the back of the class and having to quit school
gymnastics that I remember most. Teachers would treat me like I did not want to
be there and never even asked why. In reality I was just too tired and in too
much pain to function.
From 2020, children in
England will learn about menstrual wellbeing as part of the school curriculum.
A subject I can only wish was on the curriculum when I was at school. As
teachers may not have ignored me, but empowered me to get the help I needed.
Whilst it's a huge step
forward that those in England will now learn about menstrual wellbeing, let's
not leave those in Wales behind. The Welsh Government are now reviewing the
curriculum and we have the opportunity to make sure children in Wales get the
education they need.
Please sign my petition to
get menstrual wellbeing in the Welsh curriculum.
Together, we can stamp out
the stigma and give children with menstrual conditions the support they deserve.
Period.
Status
This petition was considered completed by the
Petitions Committee at its meeting on 23/07/2020.
On the basis that the Welsh Government is clear that
the new Curriculum for Wales promotes flexibility and will not present a
detailed list of subjects that schools must teach, the Committee agreed that
there is little further which could be achieved. It agreed to close the
petition.
Full details of the
consideration of this petitions by the committee and related documents can be
seen on the Meetings tab above.
It was first
considered by the Petitions Committee on 07/01/2020.
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- South Wales East
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Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 06/12/2019