Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council has partnered with charity The Period Place to provide free period products and basic period education in select Auckland Council community centres for a trial launched on International Women’s Day.
“We are delighted to partner with The Period Place for this initiative. Period poverty is a real concern in our society, and we need to do what we can to support all who menstruate,” says Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of Auckland Council’s Parks Arts Communities and Events Committee.
The Period Place CEO Danika Revell agrees, saying that launching the partnership on International Women’s Day is significant.
“We are proud to launch our partnership with Auckland Council on International Women’s Day 2021. The theme for IWD this year is #ChooseToChallenge, and this pilot project is our response to that.”
Product dispensers will be placed in 35 bathrooms, including female, male and gender-neutral toilets.
The dispensers will contain period products provided by The Period Place’s major partner U by Kotex, and be wrapped in vinyl with basic period education in Te Reo and English.
The free period products and basic period education will be available in the following Auckland Council Facilities:
- Wesley Community Centre
- Roskill Youth Zone
- Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre
- Onehunga Community Centre
- Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre
- Studio One Toi Tū
- Oranga Community Centre
- Ellen Melville Centre
“Providing this service in our community centres, especially in some of our poorer communities, is one way we can help,” says Councillor Filipaina.
The Period Place is choosing to challenge the lack of access to period products in public spaces, for all menstruators.
“We know that community centres, halls, clubs, and other multi-use community facilities support a wide range of local activities.
“We want to ensure that every person has access to period products and period education in these facilities to manage their period when they’re out in public,” Danika says.
“This pilot project is the first of its kind in Aotearoa” says Michael Sheeran, Programme Manager for Proud Centres at Auckland Council.
“Not only are we providing period products and education for our visitors in both Te Reo and English, but we’re also ensuring that we are inclusive to all genders.”
The pilot project will roll out to partnered facilities during the week of 8 March 2021 and will be installed under the guidance of COVID-19 safety precautions.
The pilot project will last until 31 May.
