Collaborative efforts to end period poverty

In 2021, Charles Sturt equity, diversity and inclusion advisor, Nicholas Steepe, worked with third-year veterinary technology student, Ricki-Sue King to oversee the implementation of a cross-campus project to end period poverty for our students. The initiative to install a Share the Dignity vending machine on multiple campuses was a collaborative effort backed by staff and students and supported by the university.

We partnered with non-profit organisation Share the Dignity, to provide free sanitary products to campus-based students. Share the Dignity aims to help those experiencing period poverty and break down the shame and stigma associated with menstruation.

Sanitary products are distributed via vending machines dispensing packs of tampons and pads at the push of a button. Vending machines are located within accessible bathrooms at five of our campuses, with the potential for more in the future. These free vending machines allow our students to access period products safely and privately, making a life-changing difference for some.

Additional community engagement has been harnessed with this project through the volunteers known as ‘sheroes’ who look after machine maintenance and restock products, ensuring sanitary items are accessible and reliably available.