Derry City and Strabane District Councillors unanimously voted in favour of a motion to introduce a reusable menstrual products scheme at July’s Full Council meeting.
The motion was brought by People Before Profit Councillor Maeve O’Neill to help alleviate period poverty, reduce risks to health and to reduce the environmental waste impacts of disposable sanitary products.
Said Cllr O’Neill: “We have a great opportunity in working with local partners and with support from Northern Ireland Reuse Network, to create a sustainable model here, utilising the textile skill that Derry is famous for, to create a successful scheme of reusable pads and pants.
“Reusable menstrual product alternatives have become very popular over the last number of years and are doing a lot to address the stigma of periods.
“However, many people are still unaware that there are more sustainable ways to manage our periods and this lack of awareness is linked to poor period education.
“But However, some people report sustainable alternatives being difficult to find and the upfront cost of reusable period products are higher that an immediate disposable alternatives, despite them saving money over the duration of the products lifetime. These are barriers a scheme like this can overcome.
“For far too long periods have been a source of shame, with disposable period products feeding into this.
“But periods are a normal part of life.
“We need to challenge the stigma of menstruation and take this opportunity to make period management a positive and empowering experience, where we can make informed choices for our own health and that of the planet.’
