New period poverty campaign needed to encourage local authorities to spread awareness – Higgins

A new campaign on period poverty aimed at local authorities is much needed to spread awareness, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Dublin Mid-West TD, Deputy Emer Higgins, is calling for a fresh call to action and the creation of a campaign, similar to ones seen earlier this year.

Deputy Higgins said: “It’s time for an innovative campaign to inform local authorities on how to be proactive when it comes to period poverty. A number of local authorities have passed motions on period poverty since 2018.

“As of November this year, 26 local authorities have been funded to progress period poverty initiatives. Initial progress reports show those who implemented the scheme received a positive reaction within their community. An information campaign to educate communities about period poverty would motivate local authorities to express interest.

“A campaign titled ‘Worryfree’ was rolled out in March this year and was directed towards Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), led by my Fine Gael colleague and Minister for Higher and Further Education, Simon Harris TD. Something similar would work extremely well in this instance and reach a wider age range.

“Furthermore, we witnessed a landmark Budget 2023 for women with measures including a zero rate of VAT on certain period products such as menstrual cups.

“Funding of €0.71m in Budget 2022 aimed help local authorities in making period products available through libraries, community and leisure centres and other local facilities.

“A new campaign would work to alert local authorities to the value of reducing the stigma around period products and addressing the issue head on,” concluded Deputy Higgins.