The Department of Education has partnered with Share the Dignity to install Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs) in all Queensland state primary, secondary and special schools, outdoor and environmental education centres and student residential facilities (sites) that register for a DVM. DVMs provide students with convenient access to free period products.
DVMs and the period packs they dispense are completely free to all sites.
All sites can register to receive a free DVM.
Registrations are open during the school year. All sites can access further information and register for a DVM by searching for 'Share the Dignity' on OnePortal and completing the short survey.
Period Talk
We know that lack of access to period products may lead to students missing school to manage their period and some students might feel uncomfortable about discussing this topic. Providing students with access to free period products and Period Talk contributes to students' wellbeing and their readiness to engage positively at school.
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.
Free access to Period Talk is available on the Educating with Period Talk page on the Share the Dignity website.
Period packs for DVMs
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.