Free Period Products Consultation Launched

A new public consultation has been launched on the provision of free period products, with the Executive Office seeking input on the development of new legislation.

The consultation states that period products are essential items for personal care and should be available to everyone who needs them, regardless of their economic status.

To address this need, the Assembly passed the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 ("the Act"). The Act places importance on respect for dignity and aims to remove financial barriers to accessing period products.

Launching the consultation, Siobhan Broderick, Director of Equality, Rights & identity within The Executive Office said: "The Assembly recently made a ground-breaking piece of legislation called the Period Products (Free Provision) Act to remove financial barriers to accessing period products. This is an important piece of legislation that will provide the basis for introducing vital support to tackle issues around period dignity.

"We believe this is a matter of basic dignity. No-one should be prevented from going to school, college or work because they cannot access period products when they need them. To shape what this scheme will look like, the Department is now consulting with the public on what type of products should be available, and how and where they should be obtained."

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on Monday 18 September 2023.

The consultation document and details of how to respond can be accessed via the following link: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-free-period-products

It is an online consultation, accessible through the following link: consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/teo/provision-of-free-period-products-consultation.