Period products to be made free in schools

Tuesday 29 March 2022

Period products will be made available for free in all schools in Jersey from this September, it has been announced.

Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin told the States Assembly this afternoon that products would be available “for all learners in schools who need them whether that’s because they have forgotten their products, cannot afford products, or have come on their period unexpectedly.”

Questioned by Senator Kristina Moore over whether she would also commit to removing GST from menstrual items, Deputy Martin said she wished to go further and make period products free altogether in future, rather than simply taking away "pennies".

She added that plans were underway to ensure that students had take-home options during school holidays. She also said she hoped that sustainable period products would be able to be provided as part of the selection in schools.

Pictured: Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin.

According to UK research, one in ten girls has been unable to afford sanitary wear, and nearly half have missed an entire day of school due to their period, of which 59% said they had made up a lie or an alternate excuse. 64%, meanwhile, had missed a PE or sport lesson.

Deputy Martin described the findings as "shocking", but said that "sadly they are issues which are affecting our own children and young people here in Jersey."

She continued: "This is further demonstrated by the valuable work of volunteers from the Red Box Project Jersey, who are providing products to the majority of our schools; as well as from anecdotal reports from teachers, past and present, that they have been buying products themselves to give to students who need them.

"I'm sure members will agree that our children and young people should not miss out on their education, nor feel shame or stigma, because of something that is a natural and normal part of life for half of our population."

Deputy Martin said she hoped the new commitment to providing free period products from September 2022 in schools would be a "positive step in removing barriers to healthy, active, educational outcomes for our children and part of our commitment to putting children first.

"It will also help to reduce the unacceptable stigma around the issue of periods and address the overarching gender equality and dignity issues that affect all learners who menstruate," she added.

"I hope States Members will agree this is a positive contribution towards further ensuring that all our children and young people in schools can learn and achieve their potential."

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