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.
In August 2024, a fantastic milestone was reached, with over 600 DVMs installed in Queensland state schools.
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.
Pad-only packs for DVMs
Exciting news. Pad-only packs for DVMs have arrived. Schools can now select from 2 different types of period packs:
- pads and tampons packs—boxes contain 6 tampons and 2 pads
- pad-only packs—boxes contain 3 pads.
Both options have been designed to fit within the DVM. There's never been a better time for schools to register.
Register for a DVM
Registrations are open until the end of the school year. 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 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.
Free access to Period Talk is available on the educating with Period Talk page on the Share the Dignity website.