“During an awareness-raising event, where we released menstrual hygiene products, a fifteen-year-old teenager discovered the pads. He told us “ah, that’s what’s in the bathroom at my house,” says Céline Gérard, director of Family Planning.
This Tuesday, Planning launched “Blood Percent”, a kit of napkins, tampons, cups, panties and explanatory leaflet. It must be distributed to young girls and women in precarious situations, but also serve as educational support at school.
“Approximately 72% of girls get their period before the age of thirteen, but only half believe they were sufficiently informed beforehand,” emphasizes Céline Gérard. Schools and parents provide information, but in varying amounts. If you learned about periods in biology class at eleven years old, but the day they arrive at fourteen, you don’t make the connection, it’s very distressing. Many girls are afraid to ask for sanitary protection when they need it at school, so they lock themselves in the toilets,” continues the Director of Planning.
She adds that “the ideal would be for them to be comfortable enough to talk about it with school staff, but also to advise each other.” The education of boys is also crucial. “Later, they may have a partner affected by heavy periods, a bleeding pad, endiometriosis… We must lift the taboo to avoid the feeling of shame.”
Curious to find out who’s making the news The essentials? Join us on the number 1 business network in Luxembourg!
