BORDER school girls can now manage period poverty with dignity in a groundbreaking initiative for the region.
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James Fallon High School is the first border school to install a Dignity Vending Machine to supply free sanitary products, funded by Woolworths and the Australian charity Share The Dignity.
The charity's Dignity Vending Machines dispense period packs, which contain two pads and six tampons, allowing girls and women access to free sanitary products.
Woolworths will fund 80 Dignity Vending Machines with more than half of them now installed.
Border-based Share The Dignity volunteer Rebecca O'Brien welcomed the new initiative to the region.
"At Share The Dignity we believe that access to period products is a right, not a privilege and that no woman or girl should ever have to choose between eating and living with dignity," she said.
"Our Dignity Vending Machines allow those in need with access to pads and tampons so that they can manage their period with the dignity they deserve."
Share The Dignity has now installed 220 vending machines throughout Australia with plans to install another 138.
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James Fallon High School principal Jenny Parrett said the school welcomed the initiative.
She commended the Student Wellbeing team on applying for the service 12 months ago.
"It helps to support our young people with good menstrual health," she said.
"It destigmatises the very natural occurrence of menstruation, and promotes transparent and positive opportunities to access good quality, hygienic products at school.
"Our girls now have a fantastic resource, and I am enormously grateful."
Woolworths Lavington store manager Kristian Lindsay said it was a timely service for young women in the community.
Mr Lindsay said the global pandemic had stretched family budgets for many, putting basic necessities out of reach.
"We know that a little good can make a big difference and we are so pleased to continue our partnership with Share the Dignity to fund the Dignity Vending Machine at James Fallon High School to help students in need," he said.
Mr Lindsay said Woolworths stores also partnered with Share The Dignity on its March Dignity Drive.
People can leave sanitary products in the donation boxes out the front of Woolworths stores throughout the month of March.
Afterwards thousands of products will be donated to partner charities to help women doing it tough.
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