A documentary film called Menstrual Man will be screening tonight in Tower Hamlets with the aim of helping to break taboos around periods.
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A documentary film called Menstrual Man will be screening tonight in Tower Hamlets with the aim of helping to break taboos around periods. The screening, which is part of women’s history month, is just one of the things currently being done to encourage open conversation in the borough about menstruation.
The film is being presented by the Women’s Environmental Network , who run workshops on healthy and environmentally friendly sanitary protection.
Julia Minnear, Co-Director of the Women’s Environmental Network, said that “Some of the biggest issues that we’re tackling are the period taboo, so women not feeling comfortable talking about their periods.”
This isn’t the only initiative aiming to break the period taboo. Sixteen schools in Tower Hamlets have just been added to the ‘Betty’ national programme on educating children about periods.
The programme involves sending an educational ‘period’ bus – the Betty Bus – to visit each school for a day. Students climb aboard and speak honestly about periods in a fun and interactive space. Both boys and girls are welcome: boys learn about stereotypes around periods, and male and female body types, and girls have a chance to discuss what happens to their bodies without feeling ashamed.
The demand for the Betty Bus has grown so large that Betty for Schools has had to commission a second bus.
Assistant Head-Teacher, Laura Scott, whose school in Islington had a visit from the Betty Bus, is convinced of the benefits of the programme: “[The children] all really enjoyed it. I think the girls in particular enjoyed having something special just for them.”
Menstrual Man will be showing tonight at 6.30pm at the Idea Store in Whitechapel.
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HeadlineTower Hamlets tackles period taboo
Short HeadlinePeriod taboos are being broken down by Tower Hamlets initiatives
Standfirst
A documentary film called Menstrual Man will be screening tonight in Tower Hamlets with the aim of helping to break taboos around periods. The screening, which is part of women’s history month, is just one of the things currently being done to encourage open conversation in the borough about menstruation.
The film is being presented by the Women’s Environmental Network , who run workshops on healthy and environmentally friendly sanitary protection.
Julia Minnear, Co-Director of the Women’s Environmental Network, said that “Some of the biggest issues that we’re tackling are the period taboo, so women not feeling comfortable talking about their periods.”
This isn’t the only initiative aiming to break the period taboo. Sixteen schools in Tower Hamlets have just been added to the ‘Betty’ national programme on educating children about periods.
The programme involves sending an educational ‘period’ bus – the Betty Bus – to visit each school for a day. Students climb aboard and speak honestly about periods in a fun and interactive space. Both boys and girls are welcome: boys learn about stereotypes around periods, and male and female body types, and girls have a chance to discuss what happens to their bodies without feeling ashamed.
The demand for the Betty Bus has grown so large that Betty for Schools has had to commission a second bus.
Assistant Head-Teacher, Laura Scott, whose school in Islington had a visit from the Betty Bus, is convinced of the benefits of the programme: “[The children] all really enjoyed it. I think the girls in particular enjoyed having something special just for them.”
Menstrual Man will be showing tonight at 6.30pm at the Idea Store in Whitechapel.
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