Council Launches the Pink Present Programme in Secondary Schools

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and The Larder, Newry have teamed up to launch ‘The Pink Present Programme’ to help combat period poverty in local secondary schools. The programme aims to provide free period products to participating schools, to improve access to sanitary products for girls in secondary schools, especially for those who are struggling to cover the cost of purchasing them monthly.

Period poverty is partly defined as experiencing poor access to period products, which can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of girls in secondary schools. One of the main effects is reduced school attendance, with girls staying at home during their period as a direct result of not being able to access proper sanitary products.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, “I am delighted to be involved with ‘The Pink Present Programme’. Period poverty among girls in secondary school is an issue that can have a huge impact on their education, self-esteem, and overall health and wellbeing. By removing the barrier of cost, we can help sanitary products become more accessible to young girls across our district.”

The Pink Present Programme is a partnership initiative between Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Women’s Working Group, the District Electoral Area (DEA) Forums, Newry Larder and is supported by the Public Health Agency. The programme was launched on 14 October in St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, St. Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint, and St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel. Several other schools are expected to sign up over the next few months.