Amelia Tattam and Women’s Minister Marissa Paterson help display the first period product dispenser machine at Gold Creek Senior School. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
The ACT’s first free period product dispensers have been installed at two Canberra schools as the territory rolls out expanded access announced this week.
It’s part of a pilot program to increase accessibility that will see the dispensers placed in all ACT public schools.
One of the brains behind the expansion, Amelia Tattam, began campaigning for a change in how the territory handled period product access in 2021, as part of an International Women’s Day conference.
After successfully running a trial at Canberra High School, her team’s project caught the government’s attention. It led to the passing of a law in 2023 that guaranteed the ACT would provide free tampons and pads at public schools and other locations around the city.
Ms Tattam said the team wanted to tackle period poverty – when young women lacked access to appropriate menstrual products which could hold them back socially or academically.
“Periods becoming a barrier to education and confidence was something we were passionate about fixing,” she said.
“So we came together and created a pitch, and our pitch won at that [Women’s Day] conference out of all schools in the ACT. It gave us the opportunity to create that change.”
One of the ACT’s first period product dispensers at Gold Creek Senior School. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
Until now, products at schools were largely distributed by front offices. Under this new program, dispenser machines will be made available in girls’ bathrooms at all ACT primary and secondary schools.
Ms Tattam praised the expansion and said watching her team’s efforts go from a school project to a territory law was incredible.
“It’s been really special to know what started as an idea from some high school kids has become an ACT law. That’s really been a big motivator to not just myself, but for all young people to know your voice can be heard if you put your mind to it,” she said.
Gold Creek junior associate principal Amanda Malloy said the program was already having a big impact, especially for young girls who may experience their first period at school.
“Having those period products available to them in a space where they can access with dignity is extremely important for our students,” she said.
“It’s actually been a lot easier than we thought … initially, we wondered how it would go with some of our students, is it going to be a bit of a novelty? But they’ve all been very respectful.”
The junior school rollout has included a new education campaign to teach children from Year 4 up about menstruation.
Ms Malloy said the campaign had been another successful component of the program.
Supporters of the period product dispenser believe the program is a vital health step. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
Announcing the new rollout at Gold Creek this week, Women’s Minister Marissa Paterson said the government was proud to expand access to period products.
“The rollout of this pilot program is a vital step in dismantling the barriers menstruating people face every day. Access to pads and tampons should never be a privilege; it is a basic necessity,” she said.
“By installing free dispensers in school bathrooms, we ensure students can access period products with dignity and confidence. This means they can focus on their education and extracurricular activities without unnecessary obstacles.”
Ms Paterson said while Gold Creek senior and junior schools were the first to upgrade their bathrooms with dispensers, all public schools in the ACT would soon install their own.
In 2023, the ACT became the first jurisdiction in Australia – and the second in the world after Scotland – to require its government to provide free menstrual products.
The rollout was funded by a $2.8 million 2023/24 budget commitment. Free products are now available at all 31 public schools around the ACT as well as at TAFEs, hospitals and community centres.
