Victorian public schools are the first in Australia to offer free pads and tampons to students as part of an attempt to boost inclusivity and break down “the stigma of periods”.
The initiative is aimed at “reducing discomfort and embarrassment around periods for girls” at school, and will provide pads and tampons for free in bathrooms at the more than 1,500 government schools in Victoria.
The Victorian government will spend $20.7m on the scheme over four years, which will also feature a health information campaign about menstruation in addition to the sanitary products.
Originally announced ahead of the Victorian election in 2018, the state government began implementing the program last year, and on Tuesday, announced it had completed the rollout of the scheme.
The government hopes the program will also save “families hundreds of dollars every year”, and will help female students “focus on their studies”.
“Pads and tampons are available free of charge in school bathrooms, relieving anxiety and embarrassment for girls, and ensuring they can get the most from their education,” a government statement said.
“Schools will play an important role in promoting a positive culture around menstrual health and build a supportive environment among the school community.
“Lack of easy access to pads and tampons can negatively impact on students’ participation in sport and everyday school activities.
“Students may not be able to concentrate in class, feel comfortable or feel confident doing physical activity, or they may miss school altogether,” the statement said.
The program is expected to deliver more than 27m free pads and tampons every year, based on an assumption that 95% of girls in years 6 to 12 will use the products, a report about the project’s tender documents previously revealed.
Only senior high school students and children who cannot be supervised at home are currently attending school in Victoria.
On Tuesday, the Victorian minister for women, Gabrielle Williams, said “getting your period is a normal part of life and sanitary items are a basic necessity”.
“We’re ensuring all girls in our public schools have access to pads and tampons when they need them, so they can focus on their studies,” Williams said.
The Victorian education minister, James Merlino said “we’re proud to be providing free sanitary items in all Victorian government schools to ensure that students – regardless of their background or circumstances – can focus and participate fully in their education”.
Victoria’s initiative comes after the federal government and states agreed to remove GST on sanitary items from the beginning of 2019, a decision which is estimated to have cost states about $30m in tax revenue each year.