Period poverty campaigners sing out as MLA's bill passes final stage
#MenstrationMatters
Free period products will be available in schools, higher education settings and other public buildings, after a Period Poverty Bill passed its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Cheers erupted in the Great Hall after the private members bill from the SDLP's Pat Catney passed the final hurdle at Stormont today (Thursday).
Period poverty activists gathered to witness the moment - they have campaigned for this day for many years.
Passing the final stage means NI is now the second place in the United Kingdom to provide free sanitary items in these settings.
It comes after the success of pilot schemes in schools and universities across the country.
Earlier, Mr Catney wound up the final reading in the Assembly and once business concluded he made an emotional display in the Great Hall, breaking into a rendition of the song "We Shall Overcome".
During his final speech he said: “Mr. Deputy Speaker, we live in a great place and as we've seen, when we work here, we can deliver this is a positive, positive message.
“We should have gotten rid of that stigma years ago that deals with period poverty or talking about periods.
“I'm a son, a brother, a father of three girls, and a grandfather of three little girls.
“And like the minister said, this change is for them.
"I know it must be absolutely terrible to wake up in the morning and find that you're going to school, and you do not have access to the products that you need for a natural body function.
“So, I hope that this changes and changes it for every little girl because every person, every woman and everyone that goes on from here.
"So, I'm delighted that we're able collectively to change this.
“We should have said goodbye to that stigma years ago.”
Read More:
Free period products to be available in NI universities
Education Minister to seek Executive approval for free period products in NI schools
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