Men should support beating 'period poverty' in Wales

 It is about time Men  in particualr stopped treating the use of Sanitary products as a Taboo Subject .

For two long how women's periods affect their lives have been ignored and one issue the cost of sanitary protection has been a social injustice thast few have spoken out on.

Something that if it affected both sexes  would have benn dealt decades ago

The BBC reports that, a councillor has said 

"Free sanitary protection should be given to all secondary school pupils in Rhondda Cynon Taff."

Elyn Stephens, who has first hand experience of "period poverty" made the call after charity Plan International UK found one-in-10 girls in the UK cannot afford products.
The idea is being considered by a working group set up in the summer.
A Welsh Government spokesman said it was aware some councils were exploring how the issue may affect learning.
Ms Stephens, 25, who is one of the local authority's youngest councillors, said she was spurred into action by her own experience.
She said: 

 "I don't come from a wealthy family at all. I come from a single parent family, I had a mother and two sisters so you can imagine the strains that put on our household income.
"By speaking to people who are still in school I realised nothing had changed since I was there seven years ago.
"Because the subject has been taboo for so many years, no-one has broached it in the institutions that can actually make a difference."
The Plaid Cymru councillor put forward a motion in July to provide free sanitary products in local schools.

 Why in all these years has it taken a young Councillor to raise the issue to a level that it is openly being discussed.

This follows the the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon   announcing that to help tackle the problem of "period poverty" - where women on low income can not afford sanitary protection  a new scheme would start in August with products provided free in all schools, colleges and universities.
The move was announced in the Scottish Government's programme for government in September, and Ms Sturgeon said: 

"This groundbreaking commitment to tackle the gender injustice of period poverty will be delivered from the start of the new academic year next August."
She added: "Scotland and the SNP - once again - leading the way in building a better, fairer country for all."

Responding to the issue, the Welsh Government said it was aware that some councils such as Rhondda Cynon Taf are exploring how the issue might impact on learning.

"We will continue to work with education services and consider any new evidence which emerges," said an official.
"Schools in Wales should have arrangements to support learners to ensure their well-being.
"All girls should be reminded regularly that sanitary products are available from named female staff if needed."

I can imagine when  a young Councillor like Elyn Stephens first raise the issue a number of male councillors wanting to hide under their desk.

Such is the "Taboo"  subject of this that what when you look at it is a gross injustice  on half our population is not openly discussed.

Are we still living in age where we have a cultural and religious attitude to  menstruation where  women are excluded and Men in particular some how pretend its not happening?

This is not a "Womens Issue" it is an issue of inequality that should have been dealt with years ago