So a student spoke out about how those menstruating would be disadvantaged by the lack of breaks in our centralised exams and got this response:

https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1289542406598037504?s=20

We're going to respond to everything see says in this bc single reply isn't enough to address it all:

1960s feminism happened and it’s moved on (for the better!) since.

“No one taught me that periods are gross”: No one may have taught *you* that periods are gross but there is a stigma and it is well documented.

see: backlash re: a tampon ad in Ireland https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/tampax-s-tv-ad-has-been-banned-get-a-grip-ireland-1.4317651

Charities also do actual work on this: https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/normaliseperiods
https://plan-uk.org/blogs/putting-an-end-to-period-stigma-and-taboo
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2019/10/infographic-period

‘Just a pain in the neck & the tummy’ - Maybe for you! Some sitting this exam have conditions (menorrhagia/ endometriosis) that make them a whole lot more unpleasant!

How will they cope?” They’ll ask for breaks bc in real life those are granted (unlike in our exams - the specific context she’s talking about). They’ll speak up when arrangements don’t suit their specific needs just as she’s done here. And the Bar will be a better place for it.

re: breaks - https://twitter.com/BarristerSecret/status/1289541193978839040

“Grab a tampon & a pad, take some ibuprofen and get on with your life.”
You might personally be fine with a tampon and a pad and some ibuprofen but many aren’t! Especially when you can’t exactly get up and grab them bc if you did your exam would terminate.

Kinda hard to get on with your life if your period means resitting professional exams which could determine your career no?

You might be fine with working conditions that don’t suit everyone but don’t undermine the efforts of those trying to make them better.