HSE Period Dignity Project
Period poverty is when someone can't afford, or access, suitable period products.
The HSE National Social Inclusion office (NSIO) in 2022 instigated a demand led, period dignity scheme. The aim of the project is to reduce period stigma, increase education and distribute free period products.
The NSIO is working with the Department of Health and key stakeholders in the HSE to implement the project.
The scheme provides period products to social inclusion target groups, including Travellers, Roma, international protection applicants, refugees, those experiencing homelessness, addiction services, domestic violence refuges, LGBTI+.
The period dignity scheme aims to progress the key recommendations from the ‘Period Poverty in Ireland’ Report.
The Department of Health have published information on their period poverty initiative here
Educational Resources and clinical guidance
As part of the project, HSE Dublin and South East has developed educational resources, including an information booklet titled A Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Health and a leaflet on Period Dignity for all and sexual health information.
HSE clinical guidance on periods and conditions linked to the menstrual cycle can be accessed here
Downloadable posters for the scheme are available
- English red period poster
- English pink period poster
- Irish red period poster
- Irish pink period poster
- Czech red period poster
- Czech pink period poster
- Romanian red period poster
- Romanian pink period poster
Procurement
The Office of Government Procurement established a new Framework to supply cleaning, paper, personal hygiene, and period equality products; this can be accessed by public bodies through the Buyer Zone on the OGP website. The Framework includes re-usable and sustainable product options as well as well-known pad and tampon brands.