Victorians will soon be able to access free pads and tampons in every part of the state, as part of the government’s efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures for Victorians.
Westfield Knox will be amongst the first group of 18 shopping centres to receive vending machines that dispense free period products, along with the existing rollout scheduled for public places -which include a number of libraries in the Yarra Ranges.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced the next 90 venues across Melbourne on Thursday 8 May.
“Period products are a basic necessity – and we’re making sure women and girls can get them for free, when and where they need them,” she said.
“This is about dignity, equality and making sure no one misses out on school, work or community life because of their period.”
Shopping centres are among Victoria’s most-visited public spaces, making them ideal locations for expanding access to essential hygiene products.
Shopping Centre Council of Australia Chief Executive Angus Mardi said shopping centres play an important role in our communities.
“Through this initiative, we are committing to improving access to free sanitary products in accessible places in almost 20 shopping centres across Victoria,” he said.
The new locations form part of the government’s statewide rollout of 1,500 smart and battery-operated machines in up to 700 venues – including shopping centres, libraries, hospitals, TAFES, staffed train stations and cultural institutions.
In the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, Belgrave Public Library, Croydon Library, Ferntree Gully Library, Knox Library (temporary location), Montrose Library, Rowville Library and Yarra Junction Library are on the list for the next venues to receive the machines.
Women across Victoria have already saved thousands of dollars, with more than 25,000 packs of pads and tampons dispensed in the first six months of the program.
This initiative builds on the government’s program that made Victoria the first state or territory in Australia to provide free pads and tampons in every government school – to reduce stigma, keep kids in class and ensure students never miss learning because they don’t have access to period products.
Insights from 50 trial machines across 30 Melbourne sites – including Sydenham Library – have helped inform the broader rollout. Feedback from community members has already shown the difference the program is making for people doing it tough.
Access to pads and tampons is a basic need, but one in five women and girls reported struggling to afford period products.
Periods are a part of life, but too often, those who can’t afford period products are left feeling embarrassed and excluded. Lack of access affects physical and emotional wellbeing, and can impact attendance at work, school, sport and other activities.
A full list of current locations is available and will be updated in real time at freepadsandtampons.vic.gov.au.
