While, women all over the world still don’t have proper access to sanitary products, New Zealand has decided to deal with this issue and make it a matter of priority.
This scheme is part of a NZ$2.6 million ($1.7 million) plan, that was announced last month to end period poverty in New Zealand.
The scheme is all set to roll out in July with 15 Waikato schools that need it the most and by 2021, the government is planning on expanding it to all schools.
Talking about the initiative Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said:
Nearly 95,000 girls aged 9 to 18 could be staying at home during their period because they were unable to afford sanitary products. By making them freely available, we support these young people to continue learning at school.
According to data, in poor countries, more than half of all women and girls are forced to use rags, cloths, grass and paper during their periods since many of them can’t afford sanitary products.
According to a survey conducted in 2019, it was revealed that 1 in every 12 New Zealand school girls (aged between 13 and 17) have been reported missing from school as they can’t afford sanitary products.
And, it is because of this that period poverty is hindering education for already vulnerable young girls.
This move was highly appreciated by Twitter users.
While some countries still need to take steps to tackle this problem, New Zealand is setting the right example by taking baby steps in the right direction which is commendable.
In fact, in February, Scotland was the first country in the world to make sanitary products freely available to all women.