Some girls are missing school because they don’t like the growing trend of mixed sex toilets.

They are staying at home when they have periods because of “period shaming” from some boys.

Other girls are going all day without drinking water so they don’t have to use the facilities and some don’t use them because they fear sexual harassment.

Some Muslim girls also dislike having to adjust their hijabs infront of boys.

The findings from a consultation started by women’s group Lleisiau Merched Cymru/Women’s Voices Wales comes as growing numbers of schools are opening mixed sex toilets which they claim reduces bullying and are more inclusive.

Single sex toilets are still available in schools with mixed facilities but are often further away from main areas of the building, said Lleisiau Merched Cymru/Women’s Voices Wales.

The group believes neither pupils, parents nor school staff have been adequately consulted on single sex toilets and say some are embarrassed to complain, or don’t know how to do so.

It has written to the Welsh Government and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales quoting a study by the University of Warwick showing almost four in ten female pupils have suffered sexual harassment at school in Wales and England.

“In the light of this shocking report, Lleisiau Merched Cymru/Women’s Voices Wales would like to know how the safety and dignity of female pupils is being made a priority for schools in Wales,” the letter says.

“We would like to know how the loss of female only spaces in schools is consistent with this equality objective.”

It adds not enough consideration is being given to the safety, privacy and dignity of girls – and that unisex toilets that replace sex segregated washrooms do not even meet the legal requirements for schools in Wales.

The group calls for evidence mixed sex toilets reduce bullying and says its consultation focuses on girls because they are more at risk from issues such as sexual harassment, or being “period shamed”.

Spokeswoman Helen Raynor said: “No pupil should feel they are unable to use the toilet during the day.

"No child should avoid school because they are anxious about using the toilet, or stop drinking water so they don’t wee.

"Girls cannot “hold periods in”. Nor should toilets use risk “period shaming” from boys, or sexual harassment.”

What parents, pupils and staff think of mixed sex school toilets One parent told the consultation that her teenage daughter at a secondary school in Cardiff refuses to use the mixed sex toilets: “She won’t use the toilets and tries to last all day. I sometimes have to go and collect her. “There are problems when she has a period. Boys are always speculating on whether girls are having their periods according to how long they take in the toilet. "I have raised the issue with the head. I was told that if my daughter has a problem she must go and see the nurse, which she thinks will just draw attention to her.” A member of staff at a school in the Vale of Glamorgan wrote: “Frustratingly, the kids in the school I am in always complain about unisex toilets and always get told there is nothing they can do”. Another respondent, describing themselves as “a comp teacher” said the verdict on mixed sex facilities from a class of 15-16 year-olds was “no way”. A parent from Ceredigion wrote: “When the new school was built, almost all the loos were “gender neutral”. There were lots of complaints from parents and there are now a greater number of sex segregated ones.” Another parent said: “I think we need to ask how parents and kids are being consulted. "Unisex toilets in new buildings seem to be presented as a done deal and as 'anti bullying' and 'inclusion'. "This puts anyone objecting in a difficult position and puts an unrealistic burden on kids.” At primary level the parent of one four year-old told the consultation she hates using mixed sex toilets for her reception class while another said: “My daughter hated the mixed sex toilets up to age eight in her school, she used to avoid going and come home bursting.” Although the consultation concentrates on complaints from girls it has had some from parents of boys. These include a parent saying: “My son has mixed sex toilets at his new-build secondary school. "He doesn’t like it and says he tries to never use them.”

(Image: Media Wales)

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “When local authorities develop new schools, key stakeholders are consulted during the process, including the governing body, school council, staff, and the pupils themselves to ensure that the school offers facilities that are fit for purpose.

“The Welsh Government has agreed to work with the Children’s Commissioner’s office to explore their findings on this issue and to consider whether further guidance to local authorities is required.”

Children’s Commissioner Professor Sally Holland said: “All children and young people should be safe from sexual violence and harassment.

"The rights children have to safety, protection from harm and privacy belong to children and young people of all genders, including those that identify as transgender.

“I would expect all schools to comply with the relevant legislation on toilets, and clearly authorities should be made aware of their legal duties when building new premises.

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“Young people should be given a chance to voice their opinions about school toilets and they should be listened to.”

The consultation organisers can be reached in cofidence on llaisyferch@aol.com