Free menstrual products are now available from the City of Onkaparinga.
Vending machines with free pads and tampons are located in five sites: the Aldinga, Seaford and Aberfoyle community centres, Aldinga Payinthi College and Aberfoyle Park High School. A sixth site is proposed for the Seaford Library.
In addition to free products, the council is distributing 1000 pouches for holding sanitary products that can be carried in school bags or handbags.
Sharon Guley from the Aberfoyle community centre said that many community members could not afford menstrual items.
‘If you can’t buy pads and tampons you can become socially isolated,” she said.
“Free products help people get on with their lives. They can go to work and mix with the community without worry or embarrassment.
“Students can attend school and can concentrate and feel comfortable when they are there.
“We should talk about menstruation more rather than treat it as taboo. Menstruating is completely natural and everyone should be able to manage their periods without worrying about how they’ll find the money.”
Around one million Australians experience period poverty, meaning they can’t afford to buy menstrual products each month. Because of the stigma surrounding menstruation, many are silent and are forced to use inadequate alternatives such as socks, tissues and toilet paper.
The Onkaparinga initiative was established with a $5000 grant from the Commissioner for Children and Young People period poverty community grants program.
The initiative adds to an existing South Australian program, The Purple Bin Project, that has donation bins at Aberfoyle, Aldinga and Seaford Community Centres, where you can donate new and unopened period and hygiene products to those most in need.
The commissioner’s 2021 Menstruation Matters report revealed that access to period products was a significant issue affecting students and schools across the state.
It identified menstrual wellbeing as a systemic gender equity issue and not merely the concern of individuals and their families.
In addition to accessible menstrual products, the report recommended better menstrual education and awareness so that people can manage their periods with dignity.