The New South Wales government will pilot a scheme to provide free to students in 30 schools across Western Sydney and Dubbo for two terms. South Australia聽and Victoria聽governments have already introduced similar programs, ensuring public school students have access to .
Scotland became the first country in the world to legislate for free period products in November 2020. The was passed unanimously, after three-year campaign led by grassroots groups and Labour MP Monica Lennon MSP. As part of the campaign, research conducted by revealed .
The act mandates local authorities to provide free period products to all, and officially implements a 2017 initiative ensuring schools, colleges and universities provide free sanitary products in their toilets.
Other countries are following Scotland鈥檚 lead: in 2020 for primary and secondary schools, and in schools from June 2021.
In Australia, the campaign to eliminate period poverty gathered momentum through the work of Isobel Marshall and Eloise Hall, who established in 2017 to combat menstrual stigma and period poverty. TABOO sells 100% organic cotton pads and tampons, and donates its proceeds to menstrual projects in Global South countries. In 2021 Marshall was named.
Australian non-for-profit is also fighting period poverty. The group commissioned a 2019 Queensland University Technology study titled 鈥淩educing Period Poverty in Australia鈥, which revealed that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds suffer the most.
Chief researcher that staff from 12 Queensland schools had identified a lack of awareness among students about menstrual management and hygiene. 鈥淧eriod poverty is a real issue that is under-researched,鈥 Dr Knight said, adding that the researchers gathered 鈥渁necdotal evidence of teachers personally donating products鈥.
The study prompted Share the Dignity to provide free sanitary products to thousands of female students with Dignity Vending Machines installed in high schools.