SA Government funding to address ‘period poverty’ in schools

SA will pay for free pads and tampons for primary and high school girls following a plea from the newly crowned Young Australian of the Year.

Free pads and tampons will be available to students in every public school in a bid to improve attendance and address “period poverty”.

The State Government will spend $450,000 over the next three years to provide sanitary products to schools based on the number of girls enrolled in Year 5 and older.

It follows a successful trial in 15 schools last year. Products could be provided in vending machines, baskets or boxes in bathrooms or handed out in discreet bags.

South Australian Isobel Marshall collects her Young Australian of The Year Award at the The 2021 Australian of the Year Awards ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Last month Adelaide advocate and entrepreneur Isobel Marshall was named the 2021 Young Australian of the Year for her work in addressing the impacts of “period poverty” on girls and increasing access to sanitary products for disadvantaged women.

A survey of 2500 students by South Australia’s Children’s Commissioner found 70 per cent had to resort to using toilet paper or other alternatives because they did not have access to sanitary products at home or school.

Almost a third of those who improvised said it was because they could not afford pads or tampons.

Education Minister John Gardner said the new funding would remove a barrier to school attendance.

“Meeting the needs of students for sanitary products, whether they have limited access at home or get caught out, gives students less to worry about and allows them to focus on their learning,” he said.

Last year the Victorian Government became the first in the nation to provide free pads and tampons in public schools.