The initial $5 million in capital from the Government to establish a Women’s Health Fund will be used to launch a pilot programme for the distribution of free menstrual kits in educational institutions.
This was revealed by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, during the debate on the 2026 Budget in the Senate on Monday.
She emphasised the urgency of the issue and the Government’s commitment to tackling it head-on.
“The period poverty intervention has been championed and driven by the Government since its assumption of office in April. Madam Vice President, as a Ministry, we recognise the helplessness of women and girls who cannot afford these basic hygiene products and that this tragedy undermines their health, dignity and, most critically, their educational and economic opportunities. No young girl should face the embarrassment of having to ask a friend for a pad, pretending that she forgot hers at home when the reality is that she didn’t have enough of her own.”
She added that the initiative will be supported by sensitisation campaigns and a national workplace survey to inform future policy.
“This is a vital initiative, reflecting the compassionate vision of this administration. For Senator Attzs, who made the point that we need research and education to drive us going forward, we are also planning an important research project, the Menstrual Health and Hygiene in the Workplace Survey, to gather data from 5,000 employees to inform future evidence-based policy.”