Charter launched to promote period equity and improve menopause awareness in Sheffield

A Charter has been launched to make Sheffield a period equity and menopause aware city moving forward.

In Sheffield, steps have been taken over the past few months to make people more aware of the inequalities and stigma around periods, with work done to ensure menstrual products accessible to all that need them.

Sheffield City Council, in partnership with organisations across the city, has developed a new Charter that sets out the Councils commitments to supporting period equity and menopause awareness which we want all organisations to support.

Some of these commitments include encouraging discussion around periods and the menopause, providing free sanitary products, and calling on other organisations in the local community to support this.

Period inequity can have a profound impact on both the mental and physical health.

Not having the financial means to afford the right menstrual products can impact everything from an individual’s education and work, to being able to take part in sports and other important life events.

The Menopause which happens when someone’s period stops for good and the peri menopause, which happens before this – can cause a range of physical and psychological symptoms which are different from person to person but impacts on how someone functions in their daily lives.

Councillor Fran Belbin, Deputy Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

“Both period poverty and the impacts of the menopause can have a significant impact on people’s lives.

“It’s important we do all we can create literacy about period equity and the menopause in our communities and this Charter goes some way to achieving that.

“It crucial that anyone who experiences menstruation or the menopause can do so in a supportive environment with the support of their employers, community and their council.

“The collaborative approach we have taken to create this Charter has been invaluable and I hope together we can continue to raise awareness of these topics.”

The Charter’s commitments are as follows:

1. Acknowledge the impact on health, including physical, mental health and wellbeing on those women, girls and others who menstruate and experience the menopause.
2. Put in place a workplace menopause policy and provide support and information for employees for both menopause and period equity.
3. Encourage discussion about awareness of period equity and the menopause, as this is everyone’s issue.
4. Have a senior leader, an employee equality hub, and young people champions for period equity and the menopause.
5. Work to improve menstrual and menopause literacy by learning and sharing best practice and to ensure support and advice is available on period equity and menopause in SCC and in the city.
6. Call on other employers and organisations across the city to have a menopause policy and action plan and provide support and information for both menopause and period equity.
7. Work to provide access to a variety of free period products including sustainable options and disposal bins throughout its worksites, including customer facing facilities such as libraries and cost of living hubs. Work with others through our partnerships to do the same.
8. Work together with, learn from, and support the city’s schools, colleges, universities, voluntary community and faith sector, trade unions, businesses and other organisations around period equity and menopause awareness.
9. Commit by leading by example including by challenging the government for free products and applying for relevant grants/funding and to support others to put forward applications to undertake work in this area.
10. Host information on our website and work collaboratively to bring organisations together annually in an event to increase visibility and celebrate Sheffield successes.

The Charter has been developed in collaboration with a range of partners, stakeholders and organisations across the city.

* African Womens Health Group, Citizens Advice, Community Youth, Disability Sheffield, Faith leader, Hindu Samaj, Faithstar, Family Voices, Firvale Community Hub, Healthwatch, Irise, IDAS LACs, MA Consultancy, Mums United, Orthodox Jewish Community, Period Positive, Radio Sheffield, Reach up Youth, Reform Jewish Congregation, ROSHNI Sheffield, SAYiT, Sheffield Buddist Centre, Sheffield Chinese Community, Sheffield Drugs and Alcohol Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Team, Sheffield Feminist Hub, Shelter (and invite peer researcher), Shipshape, St Mary's Bramall Lane Church, Thalassaemia South Yorkshire (TSY), Together Women, Young Carers.