(Milton’s Craig Kielburger Secondary School)
The Halton District School Board is putting free period products in all HDSB schools.
It’s part of the Free Menstrual Products Initiative, a program designed to address some of the gaps in access to menstrual products.
Dispensing machines will be installed in all female, gender-neutral, and multi-stall female washrooms in all HDSB schools.
“Access and availability of menstrual products in schools impacts the dignity and self-esteem of menstruating students and can impact class attendance and student achievement,” says Jewel Amoah, the Board’s Human Rights & Equity Advisor.
A trial period for the initiative began this past year at four HDSB secondary schools (White Oaks SS, Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS, Craig Kielburger SS and Georgetown District HS). The hope is to promote awareness and alleviate the stigma of menstruation.
“Whether for reasons of economics, convenience or safety, access to menstrual products in public spaces, including schools, has become a matter of public commentary and concern in recent years,” adds Amoah “In keeping with similar initiatives in neighbouring and regional school boards, as well as municipalities in Canadian and international jurisdictions, free access to menstrual products supports both gender and economic equity as well as to raise awareness of, and destigmatize, the natural biological process of menstruation.”
The new initiative will be in full swing by September 2021