Period poverty in Australia is real. A recent Plan International Australia survey found that almost two-thirds of young women are struggling to afford period products.
Many parents already struggle to find money for textbooks, uniforms, and excursions. And in our current cost-of-living crisis, some parents are having to choose between sending their kids to school with pads and tampons and putting food on the table.
Period products should be free.
The Greens took a policy to the last election calling for the federal government to contribute $25 million per year in funding so that all schools nationwide provide free period products, not on a trial basis, but permanently.
Providing free pads and tampons to every Australian public high and primary school is an easy and effective way to reduce period stigma, improve students’ health and wellbeing, and minimise school absences.
Period products are a necessity, not a luxury. But many students are skipping school out of embarrassment when they don’t have access to them.
The Government is currently spending $55 billion on fossil fuel subsidies - so $25 million is a drop in the ocean.
It's a small price to pay to help end period poverty and change the lives of thousands of Australian students.
Add your voice and say menstruation products should be free for all students, period.