The Period Positivity Program at TAFE Queensland is giving free period products to staff and students at over 25 campuses, including Townsville and Cairns.
The program is a partnership between TAFE Queensland and Essity Australasia, the parent company of Libra Period Products.
TAFE Queensland General Manager of North and Far North Queensland Susan Kinobe said the initiative will positively impact the lives of staff and students.
Ms Kinobe said a lack of access to period care products can “not only present a significant obstacle to health but can negatively affect staff and student engagement, behaviour and equal participation in work and learning activities”.
She said she is proud of the initiative and believes providing people with period care products will help them manage their period with dignity.
There are two dispensers at the Cairns and the Townsville, Pimlico campuses, with each dispenser stocked with 126 Libra regular pads and 24 boxes of eight tampons.
Essity’s Executive General Manager B2B Jody Scaife said the program allows students to manage their periods discretely and safely, encouraging them to attend classes and actively participate.
According to Essity’s research, over 50 per cent of people try to hide their tampons in their pockets or take a handbag to the bathroom “so no one sees them carrying a pad.”
Ms Scaife also acknowledged that period poverty is a factor where some students aren’t financially able to afford period care products, meaning they simply don’t attend class.
“When an employer or educational facility makes these products readily accessible, they don’t just make life easier for their staff or students, they send a message about being interested in their wellbeing and about creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive,” Ms Scaife said.
The statewide program has been rolled out across six regions and 25 campus locations including Townsville (Pimlico), Cairns, Bracken Ridge, Caboolture, Loganlea, Mt Gravatt, South Bank, Alexandra Hills, Acacia Ridge, Eagle Farm, Ashmore, Coomera, Coomera Marine, Robina, Southport, Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Mount Isa, Inala, Ipswich and Toowoomba.