School children to be taught 'boys can have periods too' in new sex education move

School children will be taught that boys can have periods too in new sex education lessons designed to support transgender pupils.

In a bid to tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation, Brighton and Hove Council have revealed that advice will be offered to both boys and girls.

The new guidelines come following a council report advising that teachers should teach periods in a way that is inclusive of all genders.

According to the Times, bins to dispose of sanitary products will be providing in all toilets for children and transgender pupils ill also be offered additional support from a school nurse if needed.

Commenting on the new guidelines Brighton & Hove City Council said in a statement: “By encouraging effective education on menstruation and puberty, we hope to reduce stigma and ensure no child or young person feels shame in asking for period products inside or outside of school if they need them.

“We believe that it’s important for all genders to be able to learn and talk about menstruation together… Our approach recognises the fact that some people who have periods are trans or non-binary.”

The policy changes come as it was revealed earlier this year that Schools across the UK are introducing bans on skirts in an effort to introduce more gender-neutral school uniform policies.

Uniform policies revealed that at least 40 secondary schools in England have already stopped girls from wearing skirts, while a number of other schools are consulting on introducing a ban.

Priory School in Lewes, East Sussex is one of many schools to have banned skirts last year in order to introduce a more gender-neutral uniform.

The move comes as schools across the nation are slowly beginning to adopt more gender-neutral policies in an attempt to protect transgender pupils from discrimination.

Transgender organisation Mermaids UK has previously spoken out in favour of proposed uniform changes, calling it “a clear message of acceptance.”

Chief executive Susie Green said “adding gender neutral uniforms is one of many simple ways that schools can help any pupils struggling with their gender in any way.”

“Schools need to take a clear line to accept and embrace all diversity, no matter how small the numbers affected.”

It isn’t the first time a proposal has been put forward to teach boys about periods. Last year there were calls from a charity that both genders should be taught about periods in school to try to end the stigma surrounding menstruation, a charity has said.

Girls’ rights charity, Plan International UK, issued the advice because they believe not talking about periods can be hugely damaging.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Little girl who started her periods at four will soon face going through the menopause

A fifth of British women feel uncomfortable discussing their periods with their friends

How a woman’s period changes throughout her life