Share the Dignity in Queensland schools

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Lack of access to sanitary 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 Queensland school students to access sanitary products and improve their understanding of menstruation, the Queensland Government has partnered with Share the Dignity.

Following the early success of the Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative to provide Dignity Vending Machines in 120 schools, the initiative has now been expanded to support all Queensland state school sites to have a Dignity Vending Machine.

Commencing in July 2022, the expanded initiative will support all Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities to have a Dignity Vending Machine installed at their school to provide free sanitary products to students. Ongoing funding has been committed to ensure Dignity Vending Machines installed in Queensland state school sites are maintained and stocked.

Through the expanded initiative, all Queensland state and non-state schools will have ongoing free access to the Period Talk education program to build students' understanding of menstruation and the impact of periods.

Providing students with access to free sanitary products and period education will contribute to students' wellbeing, their readiness to engage positively at school, and reduce the shame and stigma associated with menstruation.

Dignity Vending Machines

Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs) installed in schools dispense free period packs (6 tampons and 2 pads) to students on demand. Share the Dignity provide the free period packs for schools to re-stock DVMs as required.

The 62 schools (including 53 state schools and 9 non-state schools) selected to receive a DVM through the initial Expression of Interest (EOI) process are listed below. ​Schools were selected based on identification of a suitable location in their school for the DVM, and their level of need to supply free sanitary products to students.

A second EOI process will open early in Semester 2 2022. An additional 7 non-state schools will be selected for a DVM through this process. Information about how to apply will be provided to schools directly and through the Share the Dignity website​.

Under the expanded initiative, Queensland state schools no longer need to apply to have a DMV installed at their school. Further information will be provided to state schools in the coming weeks about how they can access a DMV as part of the expanded initiative.

Schools selected for a Dignity Vending Machine

Period Talk

Through the expanded Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative, all Queensland schools will have ongoing free access to the Period Talk education program. Developed by Talk Revolution, the program is designed to educate students in Years 5 to 8 about menstruation and the impact of periods. Topics include: menstrual cycles, types of sanitary 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.

Information about how to request free access to Period Talk is available on the Share the Dignity website. Queensland state schools can search for 'Share the Dignity' on OnePortal for more information.