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The West Australian government is providing free period products to all public primary schools in the state.
The initiative began last year, when the government provided 225 state high schools with free pads and tampons. However, the initiative has now acknowledged that many girls begin their periods before high school, and has extended the program to include more than 570 public primary schools.
The products will be rolled out in term three of this year, with no cost to the schools or students.
The initiative acknowledges that period products are “fundamental health necessity” and yet, many students do not have access to the items they need at school due to the “associated cost and stigma”.
Last year, Plan International Australia revealed the state of period poverty in Australia with the release of their A Tough Period report.
The report found that 57 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial women find are finding it harder to pay for period products since in the cost of living crisis.
Similarly, 16% of Gen Z women are say that their participation in education and the workforce is affected by a lack of access to products.
It’s expected that students in low-income and rural communities will particularly benefit from the initiative.
Education Minister Dr Tony Buti believes “it is important we do everything we can to support students while they are at school.”
“Following the success of this initiative in public schools with students from Years 7 to 12, I’m pleased all public schools with primary students will soon be able to access free period products.
“No student should miss out on attending class or feel like they can’t participate in school if they do not have the products they need.”
Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery also acknowledges the importance of providing girls with the products they need to succeed in school.
“We know for some students, periods can arrive before they’re of high school age, that’s why we’re expanding the program into public primary schools,” Minister Ellery said.
“The expansion of free period products into public primary schools is important for promoting student health and wellbeing.
“We want all students to be able to reach their full potential, and we want to ensure that having your period is not a barrier for school participation.”
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