Kimberly-Clark Corp., parent company of Kimberly-Clark Professional, has joined a NSW Government initiative to address period poverty.
The company has agreed to provide free tampons and pads to public school students across the state and install more than 4,600 feminine product dispensers in public schools.
Belinda Driscoll, managing director of Kimberly-Clark, said free access to period care products is an essential step to tackling period poverty.
“While similar programs are now in place across the majority of states and territories, we hope to continue to see growing momentum for such initiatives across Australia. In addition to the availability of product, we’re also pleased that there will be a greater focus on menstrual education, as this is key in reducing misinformation and breaking down enduring stigma associated with menstruation.”
Kimberly-Clark’s research1 has shown the lack of education and open conversations around menstrual health remains an issue for young people across the state and can impact their confidence, wellbeing and ability to engage in school life.
“We applaud the NSW Government for the action they’ve taken in providing students with easy access to period care products and information as of when they need them, working to normalise menstruation and ensuring nothing gets in the way of their education,” said Driscoll.
For many years U by Kotex has been challenging negative social perceptions or stereotypes that limit people because they experience periods.
In 2022, alongside parent company Kimberly-Clark, the brand publicly committed to providing greater access to period products and education for nine million people in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific by 2030.
U by Kotex has a long history of advocating for menstrual education in schools, after the launch of its popular ‘What’s Happening to You’ program in 2015, which has had more 1.5 million students participate.
This interactive resource was created in conjunction with teachers to provide both female and male students with a better understanding of menstrual education and puberty.
Since the launch of its new 2030 Ambitions in 2020, Kimberly-Clark has already impacted nearly 5 million people across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.
As part of this, the company has donated hundreds of thousands of U by Kotex period products to Australians in need, working with partners all around the country.
The roll out of the period products in NSW schools’ initiative is currently underway, with more than 4600 Kimberly-Clark dispensers installed to date.
U by Kotex period products are available for schools to purchase through official Department of Education suppliers COS, WINC and Cultural Choice Supplies.
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