WACCSO celebrated the joint announcement at the weekend that the WA Government will provide free period products for students at WA public secondary schools from 2023. 

This announcement comes after the findings of the Bloody Big Surveyrun by Share the Dignity, Swinburne University, and WhyHive were released, indicating that improving access to tampons and pads will keep students engaged in education.

“We are very pleased that the WA Government will join other State Governments and make these products available for students in our State High Schools,” said WACSSO President, Pania Turner. “It is our hope that, in time, the Government will also make products available in Primary Schools. While the Survey found that the median age that a student gets their period is 12 years old, over 15% of participants were 11 when they got their period and over 5% were 10 years old. This developmental change is affecting children in both Primary and Secondary schools and ideally, Government initiatives will reflect that,” she added. 

The Bloody BigSurvey also found that, while period pride is on the rise, periods can still negatively impact the daily lives of individuals, affecting things such as participating in sports, attendance at work and school and missing out on socialising.

WACSSO is committed to positively influencing the direction of education so that every student has the best opportunity to realise their potential. Our team of staff and volunteers will continue to discuss the rollout of period products in schools with members of the Education Department to encourage an inclusive approach.