Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Free tampons and pads for WA TAFE students
The WA government says it will remove a barrier to education by providing students at TAFE campuses with free tampons and pads via vending machines.
January 25, 2023
Students at all Western Australian TAFE campuses will soon have access to free tampons and pads via vending machines.
Training Minister Simone McGurk says providing the fundamental health necessity will remove a barrier to education for many women and girls.
“Period products are not a luxury, they are a necessity, so it makes sense that the state government is supplying them for free,” she said on Wednesday.
Ms McGurk said the cost and associated stigma of buying menstrual products means some students do not have access to the essential items.
“By making pads and tampons readily available and free in our TAFEs we are challenging a long-standing stigma,” she said.
She said the initiative to be rolled out this year would help support young women and girls so they could stay focused on their study and reach their full potential.
“This builds on the government’s commitment to provide free period products in public schools,” Ms McGurk said.
“Having your period should never be a barrier to education.”
The McGowan Labor government’s previous commitment to provide free period products in more than 220 public schools will be rolled out from term one.
Feminine hygiene products were already available to students at some TAFE campuses
The 2021 Bloody Big Survey found 48 per cent of the 125,000 respondents had missed a class due to their period.