Educating Yorkshire star leads calls for greater awareness of period poverty as report reveals a quarter of UK women have missed school because of periods

Matthew Burton, who is head at Thornhill Academy in Dewsbury, said greater understanding was needed as a report reveals that one in four UK women have missed school or work due to their periods.

The issue is estimated to be costing the UK economy alone more than £500m a year.

Globally, it is thought 40 per cent of women have missed education or taken days off work due to period pain or being unable to afford related healthcare products.

Experts have now advised that boys should also be taught about periods to stem the taboo around the subject as a study by global health and hygiene company Essity reveals there are fewer discussions surrounding menstruation in 2020 than there were two years ago.

Mr Burton, who starred in Educating Yorkshire back in 2013, said: “It’s so important that everyone, regardless of gender, speaks about this subject.

"There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that periods should be seen as a taboo subject.

"Opening up the conversation for those who haven’t discussed it before really is a hugely important step forward.”

Research also revealed that 80 per cent of parents in the UK have never talked to their sons about periods, while 72 per cent of fathers have never spoken with their children - girls or boys - about the issue, with 32 per cent claiming it was a "woman's topic" to discuss.

It comes following the news that Scotland has become the world's first country to make period products free for all, following a vote in Scottish Parliament last month.

Sarah Wilson, from Essity, said society had a joint responsibility to teach boys and girls about periods and to try and reduce the stigma.

“Periods need to be discussed with children regardless of their gender, and the gender of their parent, primary carer or teacher," Ms Wilson said.

"It is a fact of life which everyone should be informed about.

“By bringing attention to the barriers, we hope to encourage parents to have more of these conversations with their children in their own homes, regardless of gender.

"There should be no shame or embarrassment associated with periods, and we strive to create an environment for both men and women where the subject can be openly discussed.”

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