1. What would you like the Union to work on? 
  
The Union should lobby UCL to change its extenuating circumstances policy to ensure that period pain and any other uterine-related issues are labelled Category A (circumstances that will normally be considered).

Policy Objectives
- Personal and departmental tutors to be made aware that (should this policy get passed) it exists, and to be equipped with the tools and language to support menstruating students who will require this extra support
- Clearer wording of the EC criteria: ensure that period pain and uterine-related issues are clearly displayed on the EC criteria, with both of them falling under Category A (circumstances that will normally be considered)

2. Why would you like to do this?  
 
We aim to implement this policy to better support female students, particularly those from underrepresented minority groups, at UCL. The current evidence system does not adequately support students experiencing menstrual pain. There is no mention of period pain under the examples provided to students. Students attempting to submit a claim would likely classify it as “short-term illness” despite it being a recurring long-term problem for many students. Menstruation is not a protected characteristic and requires a medical diagnosis to be classified as a disability under the Equality Act (2010) which serves as the guiding force behind the classification of long-term conditions.

It takes 7-10 years to get a formal diagnosis for any uterine-related issues, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Female students at UCL are already having to deal with the institutional misogyny undermining women's health care in the NHS, with the pain women experience being ignored and normalised. POC women are more likely than their white peers to experience debilitating period pain, and systemic racism within the NHS makes it harder for them to get a diagnosis. This pain affects up to 50% of women. That is far too many not to have clearer policies on the support given to menstruating students.

Period pain is not just something that lasts for a day or two. It is, for many menstruating people, a pain that lasts several days and affects not only their day-to-day life but also their quality of life during this period of time. It therefore affects their performance in exams and their ability to do assignments and coursework. Menstruating students deserve better support during their academic career to deal with a problem being ignored in every other sector of their lives.

 

3. What effect will this have on student life? 

- Improve academic experience for women students, particularly POC women
- Increased Trust in systems
- Reduced anxiety about whether their EC will be accepted or not for period pain
- Better performance in exams
- Empowers menstruating students to achieve their potential, knowing they have systems to support them