00:00An Australian first initiative stemming from a pitch by students at an International Women's Day conference in 2021.
00:10Periods becoming a barrier to education and confidence was something that we were really passionate about fixing.
00:16Advocates argue easy access to sanitary products helps safeguard against period-related disadvantage.
00:23It's still an issue in a lot of spaces, so we decided that we wanted to make it normal.
00:28In recent years, ACT students have been able to get period products from teachers and school staff, but the dispensers mean they won't have to ask.
00:37The pilot program follows the ACT's nation-first legislation, passed in 2023, which guarantees students access to free period products.
00:47Teachers say students of all ages need access, including in primary school.
00:52Children get their period at a young age and, you know, for some of our students, the first time they get their period is actually at school.
00:59So having those period products available to them in a space where they can access with dignity is extremely important for our students.
01:06The free product dispensers will also be installed at Canberra Hospital, the University of Canberra Hospital and community health centres.
01:14It's just not economic disadvantage that stops people getting period products.
01:18There's a whole range of things. It could be that you're in crisis. It could be a cultural or a language barrier.
01:23It could just be that you're getting your period for the first time, you don't quite know who to ask.
01:26So to see these across our community in spaces where they're easily accessed is really going to make a difference.
01:32Sharing the dignity.
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