Victorian public schools are the first in Australia to offer free pads and tampons to students as part of an attempt to boost inclusivity and break down “the stigma of periods”.
The initiative is aimed at “reducing discomfort and embarrassment around periods for girls” at school, and will provide pads and tampons for free in bathrooms at the more than 1,500 government schools in Victoria.
The Victorian government will spend $20.7m on the scheme over four years, which will also feature a health information campaign about menstruation in addition to the sanitary products. Read more here.