Did someone say intergenerational period equity? Huge props to a determined group of Year 13 wahine from Hamilton Girls’ High School who are leading the charge for menstrual equity in Aotearoa. These inspiring young women - Juana, Aditi, Pania, Georgia, and Rihanna - have submitted a powerful petition to Parliament, demanding that period products be fully funded across the country.

As part of their Year 13 curriculum, they were challenged to choose a social issue to create change. Juana shares their motivation:

“Period poverty is a leading issue across the world, where many women are unable to afford the basic hygiene products to get by. What we are doing is making a petition, in hopes that it will get enough signatures that the Government will take into consideration subsidising period products for all women around NZ.”

The passion behind their action is deeply personal. Juana recounts her own experiences with menstruation:

"My experiences with menstruation have been, at times, very embarrassing. It has happened to me more than once where I have gotten my period during school and had no sanitary items to get through the day. Even though there are supposed to be free period products at school, they aren’t available in the bathrooms. By the time I walk to the office, it’s made my situation worse."

These young leaders are not just raising their voices for themselves but for all women and menstruators across Aotearoa.

You can support their action by signing the petition here.

(https://petitions.parliament.nz/4cbd60b3-384f-4e1e-43ad-08dcafa6b6b1)