Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Deferred
Guidance fails to recognise importance of boys and men understanding reproductive health conditions
Conclusion
The guidance fails to recognise the importance of boys and men understanding reproductive health conditions that their peers might experience and their role in changing the culture and stigma that girls face. (Paragraph 26) 72 Publicly available information
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on the NHS's digital and social media initiatives to provide information to women and girls on reproductive health, and a competition for women's health innovations, rather than addressing the recommendation about teaching boys and men about female reproductive health conditions.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We agree that all students, including both girls and boys, should receive comprehensive education on menstrual health, and that all girls and women should be informed on what a ‘normal’ period is. Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) became compulsory in schools in September 2020, and all pupils are taught the facts about areas of women’s health. The RSHE curriculum covers several areas of women’s health, including: • menstruation • contraception • fertility • pregnancy • menopause The 2019 Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance states that primary and secondary school pupils, including boys and young men, should be taught important facts about the menstrual cycle and reproductive health, including: • what is an average period • the range of menstrual products in the market • the implications for emotional and physical health The Department for Education (DfE) is currently reviewing the statutory guidance and exploring whether any changes to existing content are required, including on menstrual, gynaecological and reproductive health. DfE is working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the government’s Women’s Health Ambassador, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, and will consider the relevant recommendations from the Women and Equalities Committee in developing revised guidance. The results of the public consultation, and the government’s response to it, will be published this year. It is important that teachers have the confidence to teach RSHE effectively, including teaching about menstrual and gynaecological health. To help teachers deliver this content effectively, DfE publishes a range of online Teaching about relationships, sex and health teacher training modules covering each of the main subject areas, including sexual health and the changing adolescent body. Once the review has concluded, we will consider whether further support or materials for teaching are needed and how they can best be provided, including through any resources made available from Oak National Academy, the DfE public body that provides resources for teachers.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗