Free sanitary items will be provided in all Victorian government schools if the Labor party is re-elected.
Pads and tampons would be stocked in all female, unisex and accessible bathrooms at government schools from the third term of the coming school year.
The Department of Education and Training would work with schools to determine the best method to dispense the items, Labor said in a statement released this morning.
“Young women and girls at school shouldn’t have to worry about having access to a basic necessity like tampons and pads,” Health Minister Jill Hennessy said.
“We want to break down the stigma of menstruation and ensure it does not impact on a student’s ability to be comfortable at school and ready to learn.”
Victoria would become the first Australian state or territory to provide sanitary products in government schools.
In its statement, Labor said tampons and pads were as basic and necessary as toilet paper and soap.
‘We know that students who do not have access to sanitary products often cannot concentrate in class, may not feel comfortable doing physical activity, or may miss school altogether,’ the statement said.
‘It can create unnecessary stress for students trying to navigate finding a tampon or pad, and that may delay regularly changing them, placing them at greater risk of toxic shock or cervical cancer.’
Ms Hennessy said: “This is about giving female students the dignity they deserve, and helping families with the cost of living along the way.”
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Tricia Currie welcomed Labor’s proposal.
She said the strategy would address some of the stigma around menstruation and women’s health.
“That stigma is the thing that will often contributes to young women losing time at school,” Ms Currie said.
She said routinely providing sanitary items in schools was an opportunity to normalise the fact women menstruate.
“That would be a terrific culture to be growing in schools and in the community,” Ms Currie said.
With health agencies and governments encouraging women to lead active lives and participate in sport, Ms Currie said it would be helpful to remove some of the barriers that existed for young women.
Asked to provide a response to Labor’s announcement, Shadow Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said: “We are happy to have a look at this policy.
“We are open to new ideas which help female students more easily access sanitary products and reduce the chance they miss school or can’t concentrate because they have their period”.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
