Free menstrual products at school is the new normal after one high school student decided to implore the state government to create the necessary change.
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The initiative was sparked after Layla Seen wrote to the government to urge them to consider supplying menstrual products to students with the aim of reducing barriers to education.
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The Exeter High School student said it was great to see the government acting on her request.
"It's a big confidence booster because it can really show that you can change things if you really put your heart to it," she said.
"I really hoped that it would but I never knew it would do this."
The state government committed $80,000 to fund the project but is open to increasing funding if required.
The commitment will see pads and tampons be freely available to public school students with funding allocated to schools based on need.
The government confirmed they were in discussions with several public schools about how the products could be distributed.
"What we're doing now is ensuring that the distribution method in each school iws appropriate and that's why we're engaging the student voice to ensure that it is appropriate," Education Minister Sarah Courtney said.
"It's important that we take the health and wellbeing of our young women seriously, being able to have open conversations about menstruation is really important."
Layla backed the idea of distributing the products via vending machine.
"Personally, I think the vending machine would be the best option, it's less embarrassing and can be less stressful," she said.
Riverside High School student Kara Smith praised Layla's hard work to ensure everyone who needs a menstrual product had access to one.
"I think it is absolutely fantastic, it is really exciting to start breaking down those barriers and definitely a step in the right direction," she said.
"I think it'll be definitely something that students would get behind and I think it'll definitely take off."
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
