Free menstrual products are now available in all Surrey school washrooms

Feb 21 2020, 10:46 pm

All public school washrooms in Surrey are now stocked with free menstrual products for students.

According to the Surrey School Board, over 260 dispensers have been installed in elementary schools, high schools, and learning centres across the district.

menstrual products surrey

Surrey School District

“At each site, products are available in one or more gender-neutral and/or handicapped access washrooms as well as female washrooms,” said the school board in a statement.

Surrey Board of Education chairperson Laurie Larsen says it’s “so important that students have free, easy, and discreet access to pads and tampons when they need them.”

“The board is more than pleased to have made this move. We hope it not only provides barrier-free access, but contributes to reducing and eliminating stigma around menstruation.”

In 2019, the BC provincial government announced that all public schools in the province would be required to provide free menstrual products to students.

Prior to the provincial order, menstrual products were made available to students in Surrey upon request.

The school district says purchasing and installing the machines and disposal receptacles, signage, and site preparation cost close to $193,000, with $26,000 of the project covered by the BC provincial government.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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