By Gemma Williams
A collaboration between Victoria University’s Women in Sport team and Share the Dignity, an Australian charity, is working to end period poverty. They have surveyed 330 people across the country finding 68 per cent skipped sport due to their period, 90 per cent worry about leaking, and 72 per cent are anxious about their period when playing sport. To encourage participation in sport, their report recommends free access to period products at all sports facilities.
The Bloody good idea: Free period products at sports and leisure facilities guide is aimed at policy makers and community clubs to improve their support for members who have their period when playing sport.
“Providing free period products at sport facilities could remove a barrier to play sport and help drive membership. This is not a big ask but the impact is huge. A range of options exist on how products could be provided. We must make sport safe and accessible, so everyone is given a fair go to be active and engaged,” says Professor Clare Hanlon, Project Lead and Chair of Susan Alberti Women in Sport.
The majority (87 per cent) of respondents agreed that sport facility policies need to recognise menstrual health as a fundamental right, where free period products are provided. Respondents felt less confident managing their period in a sports facility than they did at school, their workplace or at home.
Of those who had access to products, 50 per cent had used free products when they got caught out playing sport, and no one took products to stock up on personal supplies.
“It is a small cost with a big return, not only keeping girls in sport but reducing the need to replace those who drop out. Sport is about more than just physical health; it builds confidence, community, and lifelong opportunities. No one should miss out because of their period,” says Rochelle Courtenay, Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity.
Recommendations include mandating period product packs in First Aid kits at sport facilities, providing period product packs to coaches for their kit bags, and collaborating with local government, dispenser suppliers and clubs to provide free period products in sport facility bathrooms, including unisex bathrooms. There also needs to be open discussion between players, clubs and coaches about playing when you have your period to provide support and normalise the situation.
Professor Hanlon says support at all levels of government is needed to mandate free period products.
“An opportunity exists for state and federal government, commercial providers, and the local, state, and national sport and leisure sectors to join forces, to break down this barrier and help build inclusive environments,” she says.
