Whanganui students report positive response to free period products at school

Whanganui City College senior students Ivory Simon-Tume (left) and Tui Letele say the KidsCan-supplied period products have been appreciated by students and school whānau. Photo / Bevan Conley

The introduction of free period products in all schools will make a huge difference to young women and their whānau - as students at one Whanganui school have already found.

Senior Whanganui City College students Tui Letele and Ivory Simon-Tume have just unpacked a new delivery of period products at their school.

The tampons and pads are supplied by KidsCan and will replenish the stocks available for free in the girls' toilets at the school.

The charity has been supplying New Zealand schools since 2015 and 130,000 packs of products were delivered last year.

Since Whanganui City College (WCC) joined the programme a year ago, senior students have taken responsibility for overseeing the supplies and supporting other students.

"It's been really good," Tui said.

"Everyone really appreciates it - they take what they need and no one's been silly about it."

Ivory believes the supplies are making a noticeable difference to students and their families.

"The packs of pads that we have at school cost $8 in the supermarket.

"That's a lot to pay for something that is necessary to so many people."

WCC deputy principal Val Rooderkerk said that money could buy a family two large bottles of milk.

"Those are the things some families have to do without if they buy the products," she said.

"That is the tangible difference having these supplies at school can make to household budgets."

In 2020 KidsCan supported four Waikato schools as part of the Government's Access to Free Period Products Waikato Trial and chief executive Julie Chapman said she was thrilled the Government had decided to roll the scheme out to all schools.

From June this year, free government-funded period products will be available in all New Zealand schools and kura unless they decide to opt out of the scheme.

"Due to Covid-19, we have more families than ever forced to choose between buying period products or food," Chapman said.

"Period inequity is creating huge anxiety in our already vulnerable young girls and it is a barrier to an education they desperately need to get out of poverty."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti announced the move last month after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Waikato trial.

"Young people should not miss out on their education because of something that is a normal part of life for half the population," Ardern said.

"Removing barriers to healthy, active, educational outcomes for children and young people is an important part of the Government's Youth and Wellbeing Strategy."

Promoting positive gender norms and reducing the stigmatisation of menstruation is another intended benefit of the scheme.

Tui and Ivory believe that seems to be working at their school.

"The boys know about it and they seem to think it is pretty good too," Ivory said.

"I haven't heard any negative comments."

The students said it also helped that teacher Wendy Waldegrave provided good health education at their school and instilled positive attitudes and understanding.

"The health education is really good and our school nurse has menstrual cups available for students who want to use them."

Reusable cups are an alternative to disposable products and Rooderkerk said it would be good if other environmentally-friendly products could be incorporated into the list of free products.

"There are some really good reusable products around - it would be good if they could be considered down the line," Rooderkerk said.

"We are so grateful to KidsCan and I am really pleased for them that the Government has stepped up because it means they can use funds for other things.

"They have also helped us with costs for sports events and for our hip-hop dance crews to travel to competitions."

KidsCan welcomes the roll out of a Government scheme to supply period products to schools. Photo / Bevan Conley

KidsCan supports 829 schools and 110 early childhood centres nationwide.

"We're currently expanding our early childhood programme, which is the first of its kind in the country," Chapman said.

"Every child at our partner centres receives a raincoat, shoes and socks, and nit treatment, as well as a hot nutritious lunch and snacks every day.

"We've just added 48 more centres but the waitlist keeps growing and 108 more now need support."

Schools supported by the charity receive breakfast, snacks, jackets, shoes and socks, nit treatment and hand sanitiser, plus hot midday meals if they are not covered by the government school lunch programme.

"We're working with schools to see what more we can provide to support our most vulnerable children at such a tough time," Chapman said.