The New Zealand Labour Government shared that from June, this year, all schools will receive free period products to students. It is one of the best things a state can do for students. It places New Zealand among the first countries to include this policy.
Scotland is among the first countries to accept these policies.
The policy aims to end period poverty. Some students from low-income families cannot purchase products or if they do, it puts them into a more severe financial difficulty.
This move is real progress for all females in New Zealand.
Female students from this country were forced to use toilet paper instead of the appropriate product for that purpose.
It is unsanitary and unsafe. Also, some principals said that females even skipped classes to manage their periods.
All schools in New Zealand will offer free sanitary products to students starting in June, officials said. The initiative, which aims to combat period poverty, expands on a pilot program launched last year. https://t.co/jPQnnLE0db
— NPR (@NPR) February 19, 2021
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister, said:
“Young people should not miss out on their education because of something that is a normal part of life for half the population. Removing barriers to healthy, active educational outcomes for children and young people is an important part of the Government’s Youth and Wellbeing Strategy. Last year, the Access to Period Products pilot program was running since Term 3 in 15 schools and Kura in the Waikato region. This pilot project gave free period products to about 3,200 young people. The positive response from schools and students to the pilot has encouraged us to expand the initiative to all New Zealand schools and Kura.”
Ardern continued:
“Providing free period products at school is one way the Government can directly address poverty, help increase school attendance, and make a positive impact on children’s wellbeing. We want to see improved engagement, learning and behaviour, fewer young people missing school because of their period, and reduced financial hardship amongst families of participating students.”
Also, we have a statement from Jan Tinetti, Associate Education Minister. You can read it below.
“Feedback from the pilot noted that providing choice was important, both in types of products and the way they are accessed. Students also said they wanted information about periods, period products, and other practical elements of managing their period, such as tracking and knowing when and who to reach out for assistance. The free period products in schools’ initiative is the latest in a series of Government programs to reduce barriers to education for all students and their whānau (extended family in Māori). Others in the series include healthy free school lunches, the abolition of exam fees, and the replacement of school donations.”
Sources:
