By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

By the end of the year, schools within School District 53 will provide free menstrual products in washrooms, as required by a new order from the province.

B.C. minister of education Rob Fleming issued the order in April, requiring that all boards of education comply by Dec. 31.

“The school system is expected to promote gender equality and create an inclusive learning experience,” the order states. “Lack of access to menstrual products can negatively impact students’ school attendance and their social-emotional well-being.”

Orders for dispensing machines have been placed for all schools in the district, with secondary schools having two or three washrooms outfitted, superintendent Beverly Young said.

“Having these products easily accessible in washrooms reduces the barriers to access them, is non-stigmatizing, and increases the privacy for access,” she said.

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All schools in School District 53 already provide free menstrual products to students, available in counselling rooms, sick rooms or at school offices.

A briefing presented to school board on Oct. 23 outlines several suggestions for implementing the order, including: one dispenser in at least one female washroom at the intermediate level of every elementary school in the district; and one dispenser in each of two female washrooms and one gender neutral washroom in secondary schools.

The briefing also suggests continuing to supply menstrual products in sick rooms, counselling rooms and at school offices, “as a back-up in case a dispenser fails or there is a delay in filling it.”

To cover costs for installing dispensers in washrooms, the province is providing $300,000 in start-up funding to schools across B.C.

District staff said the approximate cost of 16 dispensers is $4,112 at $257 each. To ease costs, the briefing proposes using bins instead of dispensing machines in some washrooms.

The province requires that products be free of charge, protect student privacy, be barrier free and easily accessible, be consistent in delivery and availability, non-stigmatizing and provided to students of all gender identities or expressions.