We’re currently in the middle of Period Poverty Awareness Week, which is a week dedicated to drawing attention to the affordability and equality of access to period products.

In Australia, it’s estimated that we’ll spend an average of $10,000 on period products in our lives. That’s not to mention any further spending on pain medication.

For today’s weekend’s newsletter, I’m diving into period poverty and what’s being done to address these affordability and inequity concerns.

Period poverty is a term describing unequal access to and affordability of menstrual products and education. Period poverty can lead to poor menstrual hygiene, which comes with serious health risks.

In Australia, period poverty and menstrual hygiene disproportionately impact First Nations communities, Australians with disability, and those living in remote areas.

Chair of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance (AWHA) Bonney Corbin told TDA that period poverty affects these populations “because there are health system gaps” when it comes to “providing equitable care.”

Corbin said menstrual health among people with disability “is overlooked quite often”. She said that some Australians with disability have historically been forced to take long-acting contraceptives or undergo surgeries.

Period poverty exists in what is called a polycrisis — when a number of different crises overlap. Think: a cost of living crisis in a time of climate change, hunger, and war.

In Australia, the cost of living crisis is the main issue driving period poverty and poor menstrual hygiene.

According to a 2023 survey by gender equality charity Plan International Australia (PIA), 10% of respondents in regional areas had no access to period products, relying instead on alternatives like toilet paper. PIA cited reports from the NT that pads cost “about $25 a packet.”

Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney told TDA that “too many women and girls are missing out on school… if they can’t afford these essential items”.

Nearly 60% of young people struggled to pay for period products, treatments, and medication in 2023, according PIA data.

One in five people told PIA they’d used a disposable pad or tampon for longer periods, to avoid paying for more sanitary items.

Of Gen Z respondents, 16% said their period impacts their participation in education or work.

Kearney told TDA: “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and buying pads or tampons.”

15% of young people told PIA they rely on free period products from local services. So, what are Australian governments doing to reduce period poverty rates?

The Victorian Government started supplying free pads and tampons in public schools in 2019.

In an Australian-first, the ACT passed a law ensuring access to free period products in 2023. Under the law, these items will be available in schools, community centres, health facilities, and local libraries across the ACT.

In April, the WA Government announced free period products for over 570 public primary schools.

Corbin said: “In so many places, teenagers would have free access to condoms, but not free access to pads.” She said she wants to see free menstrual health products legislated in different states and territories and that “it’s a bit like dominoes… at some point, it’ll have to be nationwide in Australia”.

As part of its 2024/25 Budget, the Federal Government allocated $12.5 million in funding over the next four years to provide free period products to around 12,500 people in remote First Nations communities.

The Assistant Health Minister said “we know this [funding] will change the lives of many girls and women.”

Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley told TDA that she supports initiatives to “increase access” to period products. However, Ley said period products are still too expensive, and that local and state governments “should be exploring” ways to make them available in public facilities.

A concept being discussed more frequently is period leave. It’s aimed at supporting workers with period symptoms that make it difficult to perform their usual tasks. Period leave gives those workers access to additional paid sick leave or flexible working arrangements.

Ley said menstruation “is not a women’s issue, it is an everyone issue, and workplaces need to step up.”

In April, it was announced that public servants in Victoria would soon be able to access five additional paid days of leave for periods, menopause, or other reproductive health issues. QLD also recently announced new reproductive leave entitlements.

Corbin said menstrual health, “is so much more than pads and tampons…moon cups and heat bags,” and is “different for everyone.”

I hope today’s newsletter has helped paint a clearer picture of period poverty. As discussed, there are plenty of recent developments in this space. With some interesting policies in the works, we’ll keep you in the loop!

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