Period Poverty in Australia
Written by Jasmine Robertson, Secretary of the NDSJS
The phrase ‘period poverty’ is used to refer to a lack of access to sanitary products, toilets, hand washing facilities, waste management, and menstrual hygiene education. Period poverty provides a barrier to health, comfort, dignity and engagement with school and community. Menstruation is a biological inevitability. Period poverty is a violation of the human dignity, and rights, of vulnerable Australian girls and women.
Australia is signatory to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (The Agenda). Goal 6 of The Agenda is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. For as long as period poverty is affecting Australian girls and women, we cannot meet our national obligations, and aspirations, under The Agenda.
There is a lack of research in Australia regarding firstly, the scale of period poverty, and secondly, the geographic regions most affected. Without evidence, targeted policies cannot be developed in response to this issue.
A study conducted by the University of Queensland revealed that our Indigenous population is suffering greatly from the effects of period poverty. The interviews conducted indicate that instead of using sanitary products, which were reported to cost $10 per packet, high school aged girls would use toilet paper, socks and rags, posing significant hygiene risks. Furthermore, school absenteeism was shown to be directly influenced by period poverty.
Internationally, a US study conducted in 2017 found that one in five American girls aged 16-24 have either left school early or missed school entirely due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. In 2018, a UK study claimed 137,700 girls missed school the previous year for the same reason. Looking to these alarming statistics, as well as the University of Queensland study, an estimated projection of Australian figures can be developed. Period poverty is a serious issue, and it cannot be left unaddressed.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that by 2021, the government will invest in programmes that ensure public schools have access to free sanitary products. Upon announcing the policy decision, Ardern made the following comment: “We know nearly 95 000 nine-to-eighteen-year-olds may stay at home during their periods due to not being able to afford period products. By making them freely available, we support these young people to continue learning in school.”
Currently a Bill in South Australia is also under review. Attempting to implement a similar mechanism as that proposed by Ardern in New Zealand, the Statutes Amendment (Free Menstrual Hygiene Products Pilot Program) Bill will, if assented, require the Governor to trial the provision of free menstrual hygiene products to students in government schools. The Bill specifies that the products must be provided by means of dispensing machines, and that the products may be arranged in partnership with a specified person or organisation. The Bill also mandates that a report be generate six months after the commencement of the program.
It must be acknowledged that the Bill is only mandating that South Australia trial this policy initiative. The required written report will however provide policy strategists with valuable data regarding the scope and necessary measures required to combat period poverty. As stated earlier, the collection of data is imperative to enacting informed and targeted policies.
The Bill also alluded to external organisations assisting in the program’s roll-out. For example, Share the Dignityis an organisation that already provides Dignity Vending Machines to Australian High Schools. So far thirty-four vending machines have been installed nation-wide. These have been facilitated by private donors and corporate sponsors. With government aid, this organisation would be a wonderful candidate for assisting in the program.
It is finally important to note the fact that the Bill will be amending the South Australian Education and Children’s Services Act 2019 and the Education Act 1972. If Australia wants to tangibly combat period poverty it does make sense to start policy initiatives at a high-school level. However, education is unfortunately a state matter. This means that each state needs to initiate similar policy instruments in order to affect necessary change nation-wide.
What can you do to help?
o Write to your local MP using the information provided in this article. Explain why Period Poverty needs to be combatted at a state-level. Explain how period poverty can be combatted and who can help the state government achieve this. Alternatively, use the provided template filling in the relevant details.
o Volunteer with organisations that work to directly address period poverty. Share the Dignity works to assist those in need through collecting period products through collection drives.
o Donate to the next Share the Dignity collection drive (It’s in the Bag is the next collection drive. It commences on Friday 20th November and ends on Sunday the 29th of November. View further information here: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/event/its-in-the-bag
Further Reading and Relevant Articles:
What does period poverty look like for Australians?
What does Period Poverty look like internationally?
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/
The University of Queensland Study:
https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2017/07/indigenous-girls-missing-school-during-their-periods
The Bill:
Tips for writing to your MP:
Letter to your MP:
Re: NSW Department of Education Combatting Period Poverty
Dear Senator X or Mrs/Ms/Miss/Mr/Dr X MP,
I am writing to demand that the state of NSW acknowledges period poverty as a human rights issue, and immediately work to address its consequences.
Australia is signatory to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (The Agenda). Goal 6 of The Agenda is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. For as long as period poverty is affecting Australian girls and women, we cannot meet our national obligations, and aspirations, under The Agenda.
Currently a Bill in South Australia is under review. It is attempting to implement a mechanism to combat period poverty. The Statutes Amendment (Free Menstrual Hygiene Products Pilot Program) Bill will, if assented, require the Governor to trial the provision of free menstrual hygiene products to students in government schools. The Bill specifies that the products must be provided by means of dispensing machines, and that the products may be arranged in partnership with a specified person or organisation. The Bill also mandates that a report be generate six months after the commencement of the program.
It must be acknowledged that the Bill is only mandating that South Australia trial this policy initiative. The required written report will however provide policy strategists with valuable data regarding the scope and necessary measures required to combat period poverty.
The Bill also alluded to external organisations assisting in the program’s roll-out. For example, Share the Dignityis an organisation that already provides Dignity Vending Machines to Australian High Schools. So far thirty-four vending machines have been installed nation-wide. These have been facilitated by private donors and corporate sponsors. With government aid, this organisation would be a wonderful candidate for assisting in the program.
It is finally important to note the fact that the Bill will be amending the South Australian Education and Children’s Services Act 2019 and the Education Act 1972. This means that each state needs to initiate similar policy instruments in order to affect necessary change nation-wide.
I sincerely hope you take this all into consideration and make the right steps in correcting these wrongs.
Best, X.