Inner West Council plan for sanitary products in its facilities
A Sydney council has revealed an ambitious plan to make sanitary products available for free across its pools, libraries, toilets and community centres. But some fear hoarders will take advantage.
Inner West
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Sydney’s Inner West Council has taken the first steps to end what it has called “period poverty” in its suburbs.
The council on Tuesday night voted in favour of a pilot program in early 2022 that would see sanitary products stocked in all of its libraries, pools, community centres and toilets.
Councillor Lucille McKenna said it would be vital for women who are homeless, sleeping rough or couch surfing in the inner west.
“This is something that is very topical but I’m not certain about the absolute need so (a pilot) has to be done first,” she said at a council meeting this week.
“We’re not just going out on something because it’s a popular thing to do at the moment.”
The Department of Education is trailing a similar program this year while the Melbourne City Council is also in the middle of a year-long pilot to make sanitary products available for free at its facilities.
The products are also available for free in all schools in Victoria, New Zealand and in every public building in Scotland.
“People who need period products need them on a regular basis every month and there’s nothing worse, as quite a number of people here know, than being caught short,” Cr Louise Steer said.
“They are becoming increasingly expensive and it does affect the way they lead their lives.
“It would be of great assistance to more than half of the population.”
Councillor Julie Passas, before supporting the move, raised concerns that hoarders would be stealing the products from every council facility.
“I think it will be problematic at public toilets,” she said.
“We can’t supply these things at every venue, schools already have it in place.
“I can’t see how it’s going to be used, people are going to go to public toilets and be taking the whole supply but I’ll go along with the pilot.”
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