Labour Launch Period Justice Survey and Urge All to Share Their Experience
- Calls for cross-party support for her Seanad Bill
Following the introduction of her Bill in the Seanad last week to provide free period products in educational settings and public buildings, Senator Rebecca Moynihan has launched a public survey into the causes of period poverty.
The Period Products (Free Provisions) Bill is modelled on the ground-breaking legislation introduced by the Scottish Labour Party last year. Launching the public survey, Senator Moynihan called for cross party support of her Bill.
Senator Moynihan said:
“In 2021 it should not be the case that anyone is missing out on basic sanitary products. As the first politician in Ireland to act on this issue, I brought a budget motion at Dublin City Council in 2018 to ensure the products were provided for free in toilets controlled by the Council and had money allocated in the budget for this. Periods are not a luxury. It is a part of everyday life and we need to have period justice for all.
“The survey aims to accurately calculate the severity of the issue across the country, as well as identify potential solutions. Period injustice predominantly affects young people with periods. For example, we know that some don’t go to school when menstruating because they can’t afford tampons and sanitary towels. As well as setting them behind their peers, it means that they aren’t getting the full education that they deserve. Through providing easily accessible products in our schools, we can give everyone the same chance as their peers.
“People should not be excluded from access to proper sanitary products due to financial barriers. Period injustice can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of women, girls and trans people – with some reporting using products for longer than advised, or used unsuitable alternatives.
“My period justice Bill aims to ensure that everybody can access period products, at no cost, as and when they are required. We can reduce and eradicate the levels of period poverty in our lifetime, and this Bill aims to make meaningful change for those who need access to period products.”
The public survey is accessible at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg-5xcCXDnAjKzTjBm76xw39FI0a5L-ikfi0BsShl12oRaVQ/viewform