Australian Capital Commits $2.8 Million to Roll out Free Period Pads in Public Facilities

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has committed $2.8 million (US$1.89 million) of taxpayers’ money to roll out menstrual products for free to women in Canberra, the country’s capital. The funding, which is part of the 2023-24 mid-year- budget, came ahead of the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023. The policy would see the Labor-Greens government distributing period products to public facilities including schools, hospitals, and government-funded workplaces. The Act also sought to improve access to toilets, hand washing facilities, and sanitary waste facilities, as well as “providing public information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.” Minister for Women Yevette Berry said the initiative aimed to tackle “period poverty,” which could be understood as the lack of access to safe period products, basic sanitation services, and menstrual hygiene education....