Share the Dignity in Queensland schools

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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 Queensland school students to access period products and improve their understanding of menstruation, in 2021, the Queensland Government partnered with Share the Dignity.

Through the Share the Dignity in Queensland schools initiative, students in 154 Queensland state and non-state schools have access to free period products through the installation of Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs).

Following the initial success of the initiative, the Queensland Government committed to expanding the initiative to provide all Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities the opportunity to provide free period products to students at their school.

Over 380 additional DVMs were requested through a recent registration process, with installation of these DVMs in schools already commenced. Schools that are yet to register for a DVM through the expanded initiative will have another opportunity in 2023–24.

In addition to providing access to free period products, the initiative continues to provide all Queensland state and non-state schools with 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 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.

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 154 schools (138 state and 16 non-state) that have a DVM installed through the original Share the Dignity in Queensland schools initiative are listed below. These schools were selected based on identification of a suitable location in their school for the DVM, and their level of need to supply free period products to students.

Schools with a Dignity Vending Machine

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Central Queensland

Darling Downs South West

Far North Queensland

Metropolitan North

Metropolitan South

Alexandra Hills State High School

Bremer State High School

Brisbane State High School

Bundamba State Secondary College

Calamvale Community College

Capalaba State College

Cavendish Road State High School

Centenary State High School

Coorparoo Secondary College

Corinda State High School

Forest Lake State High School

Mansfield State High School

Redbank Plains State High School

Ripley Valley State Secondary College

Rosewood State High School

Runcorn State High School

Stretton State College

Sunnybank State High School

Victoria Point State High School

Wellington Point State High School

Whites Hill State College

Woodcrest State College

Yeronga State High School

North Coast

North Queensland

South East

Queensland Catholic Education Commission schools

Independent Schools Queensland

Period Talk

All Queensland schools have 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.

Information about how schools can 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.

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