Lack of access to period products can lead to young people missing school in order to manage their period. Further, many young people do not have a good understanding of their periods and how they affect their bodies, which can contribute to shame and embarrassment.
To support school students to access period products and improve their understanding of menstruation, since 2021, the Queensland Government has partnered with
Share the Dignity to establish the Share the Dignity in Queensland schools initiative. All Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities have the opportunity to provide free period products to students through the installation of Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs). DVMs dispense free period packs to students.
At the start of May 2024, an important milestone was reached, with over 500 DVMs installed in schools.
Register for a Dignity Vending Machine
Registrations are now open! All Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities can access further information and register for a DVM by searching for ‘Share the Dignity’ on OnePortal and completing the short survey.
Period packs for Dignity Vending Machines
Exciting news! In response to demand from schools and parents, there are soon to be 2 types of period packs for selection by schools:
- pads and tampons packs
- pad-only packs.
Both options have been designed to fit within the DVM. Share the Dignity provides the free period packs for schools to restock DVMs as required.
Period Talk
The initiative also provides all Queensland state and non-state schools with free access to the Period Talk education program. Developed by Talk Revolution, the program is designed to educate students in Years 5–8 about menstruation and the impact of periods. Topics include menstrual cycles, types of period products, managing periods, nutrition, period pain and when to seek help from the doctor, cultural factors and the impact of periods from a human rights and environmental perspective.
Providing students with access to free period products and period education contributes to students' wellbeing and their readiness to engage positively at school, and reduces shame and stigma associated with menstruation.
Information about how schools can request free access to Period Talk is available on the
Share the Dignity website.