NSW public schools will begin providing free tampons and pads for students.
The state wide rollout, due to be completed by the end of June at a cost of $30 million, comes after a trial in 31 schools across south west Sydney and Dubbo.
Women Minister Bronnie Taylor said many young women had been calling for access and it will help remove stigma around women’s health issues.
She said the program “is about ensuring our young women have the support they need, with dignity and without barriers, as they continue their education journey”.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says the initial trial of the program has had positive effects on engagement in the classroom and “getting your period should not be a barrier to education”.
“I want our young women to feel comfortable knowing they have access to free sanitary products when they need,” Ms Mitchell said.
The education department will work through the locations of dispensers for the products with individual schools before external contractors install them.
AAP
