New legislation to provide free period products to anyone who needs them has come into operation.
Junior Ministers Pam Cameron and Aisling Reilly welcomed the implementation of section 1 of the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which provides that period products will be made available free of charge.
The Executive Office has engaged with Libraries NI to be a delivery partner for distribution of free period products through its network of public libraries.
Junior Minister Cameron said:
"Today we become only the second place in the world to legislate for the provision of free period products to anyone who needs them.
“Period products are essential items for personal care and should be available to everyone who needs them, regardless of their economic status.
“They will now be available free of charge in all public and mobile libraries. This will ensure accessibility and convenience, as well as prioritising the well-being and dignity of women and girls across our communities.”
Junior Minister Reilly said:
“No-one should be prevented from going about their daily activities because they cannot access products when they need them.
“This Act will ensure that those who need these essential items can now access them free of charge. It is a welcome step forward and reflects our commitment to promoting dignity and inclusivity for everyone in our society.”
Dr Jim O'Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, said:
“Public libraries play a crucial role in our communities, serving as welcoming spaces for everyone, and we are pleased to support The Executive Office with the delivery of this project.
“With a total of 96 branch libraries and various mobile library stops, our network will help to ensure that free period products are easily accessible to all who require them.”
The locations, opening times and products available can be found on the PickupMyPeriod app, which can be found via nidirect or on the App store and downloaded for free.
Notes to editors:
- The Period Product (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 was brought forward as a private members bill by SDLP member Pat Catney, in the previous mandate. The Act aims to eliminate obstacles to accessing essential period products for anyone who needs to use them, regardless of their economic status.
- The Period Product (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 creates two duties: Under section 1, The Executive Office is required to provide free period products to anyone who needs them. The arrangements put in place must allow individuals to obtain products in a way that respects their dignity, privacy, and confidentiality; and products must be obtainable by another person on behalf of a person who needs them. Under section 2, departments are to specify, by regulations, those public service bodies who must provide free period products for use by staff and visitors whilst on their premises. This will result in period products being provided in a range of public buildings.
- Further to section 1, The Executive Office has engaged with Libraries NI to be a delivery partner for distribution of free period products through its network of public libraries.
- A public consultation was undertaken between June and September 2023 to inform how The Executive Office could ensure that period products are made obtainable free of charge, by all persons who need to use them. The consultation received a total of 1,647 responses of which 94% were from individuals and 6% from organisations. An overwhelming nine out of ten respondents indicated that they would use free period products if available. The consultation response document can be accessed here Provision of Free Period Products : Public Consultation - NI Direct - Citizen Space
- Information on where to obtain free period products can be found at nidirect - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/free-period-products - and Libraries NI - https://www.librariesni.org.uk/free-period-products
- Details of the locations, opening times and products available can be found on the PickupMyPeriod app, which can be downloaded for free from the App store or through the nidirect website.