Periods have been stigmatised for far too long. The stigma; that they’re something we don’t talk about, that they’re just a “women’s issue”, that they’re dirty and embarrassing, causes unnecessary shame — especially when menstruating people are stuck without the period products they need.
Whether that be due to lack of financial stability — with 1 in 5 forced to use unsuitable alternatives because they couldn’t afford pads, according to a 2021 survey from Share the Dignity — or finding themselves in a situation where products aren’t readily available, such as at school or work, this scenario is still surprisingly common.
Organisations and charities like Share the Dignity have been working to change this stigma, by installing 320 Dignity Vending Machines (filled with free menstruation products) in public schools and hospitals around Australia, creating initiatives like #ItsInTheBag and Dress for Dignity, to support women and children living in poverty, to provide with the basics of self-care, as well as by opening up the conversation surrounding period poverty in Australia.
And while they’re doing incredible work, we really need our state governments to get involved. Which is thankfully something we’re starting to see.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews released a statement today, announcing that his Labor government are expanding their free tampons and pads initiative in public schools, up to 700 public sites, including public hospitals, libraries, TAFEs, courts, train stations and major cultural institutions — like the State Library and Melbourne Museum.
“Pads and tampons aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity — and women should be able to get them wherever they are,” said Andrews, in a media release. “We’re making them more readily available, and we’re saving women money, too.”
“Having access to pads and tampons during mensuration is about providing basic dignity. It breaks down the taboo and shame of periods and provides women with cost of living relief.”
In a promise to continue to normalise periods and provide cost of living relief, a re-elected Labor Government has promised to invest $23 million to provide free period products in public places.
The cost of a pack of tampons is around $5 and that adds up over the course of a woman’s life, the statement reads. This will save women and girls money and prevent them from being caught out without the products they need. It will also see that all patients at all Victorian public hospitals will have access to free period products, which is something that Director and Founder of Share the Dignity, Rochelle Courtenay, has been gunning for.
“Their election promise is fantastic news for women, girls, and anyone with a period in Victoria, it is great to see the eradication of period poverty being part of the conversation with the Victorian government,” Courtenay tells POPSUGAR Australia.
“In our 7.5 years, we have had 3393 volunteers in Victoria, the support of 2000 Victorian business and 905 Victorian charities helping us ensure menstrual equity for all. We have also installed 35 Dignity Vending Machines in Victoria and distributed hundreds of thousands of period products around the state.”
Having spent years filling the gap that government has failed to fill (until now), Share the Dignity has been providing period products to those who need them and they would welcome the Victorian government to take this on.
“With the rising cost of living, period poverty isn’t limited to those fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness, so many people are living pay cheque to pay cheque and period products are often the first thing to be taken off the shopping list,” Courtenay says. “I would also love to see the Federal Government come to the table and ensure menstrual equity Australia-wide.”
This election promise from the Labor government, promises to also build on their Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Plan 2022–30, which promotes gender equality and supports women’s health, including contraception, abortion and maternity care.
Expanding this policy won’t just help women with the cost of living and provide greater access to pads and tampons — it’ll also help reduce the stigma of periods. You can read the full media release here.
And, if waiting for the government to implement change doesn’t do it for you, you can jump onto Share the Dignity’s website and get involved with some of their incredible initiatives. Create change now, because why wait? You could change one woman’s entire world, with just $10 and an hour of your time.
