Making history! New legislation to provide free period products to anyone who needs them came into operation in Northern Ireland in the summer of 2024. This makes it just the second country in the whole world to make free period products publicly available, Scotland being the first.
The period products are being supplied by Hey Girls, with the outreach supported by its charitable arm My Period. It means the company’s period products will be available in every public library, including mobile libraries, across Northern Ireland with Libraries NI. Find period products near you using the PickUpMyPeriod app
Empowering people in Northern Ireland
The Hey Girls and My Period team travelled to Stormont Castle in Northern Ireland for the launch alongside politicians and policymakers from The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and Libraries NI.
Period products are now freely available for anyone passing by in Northern Ireland. And not just the odd pad or tampon, but full boxes and packs, with some libraries introducing reusables such as period cups, period pants and reusable pads too.
Making history
Kate Smith, Co-founder, of Hey Girls, said:
“Together, we’re going beyond free period product access for communities, and standing up for their CHOICE too. We are so proud to be a part of this historic milestone for periods, delivering this vital and timely work with partners in Northern Ireland.
Period products aren’t a luxury, they’re a MUST for every day life. This is finally being recognised more and our collective action is driving forward equal periods for all. It really is an honour to be here in Northern Ireland and to further get the conversation flowing about periods across the country, in libraries and beyond.”
The power of social enterprise and innovation
My Period is Hey Girls’ charitable arm and has been pivotal in the implementation of the Act in Northern Ireland, launching every pick up point location on the charity’s award-winning PickUpMyPeriod app. This means that anyone can find free period products at their fingertips, by simply viewing the app’s map.
Hannah Cooke, Operations Director at My Period, was in Stormont to support the launch and explained that PickUpMyPeriod is a vital tool in supporting ease of access, reducing stigma, and advancing education around periods. She said:
“It was brilliant to be in Northern Ireland for this historic moment, such an important step for period dignity for all. We now have over 300 pick up points on the PickUpMyPeriod app here in Northern Ireland, which will help empower people to locate free period products near them, and seek any period advice they need all in the palm of their hand. This also shows the power of social enterprise to deliver innovation at scale.”
A community focus through awareness and education
“Libraries are such trusted community spaces which makes them ideal PickUpPoint locations. We are delighted and proud to support Libraries NI and The Executive Office with the roll out of the initiative by promoting this universal access to free period products.”
The locations, opening times and products available can be found on the PickUpMyPeriod app. Download the app for free from App Store and Google Play or view the app’s map at www.myperiod.org.uk
Together, Hey Girls and My Period are driving social change by tackling the stigma around periods through raising awareness, delivering education and striving for period equality.
Proven social innovation
Kate Smith, Co-founder, of Hey Girls, added:
“This has been a huge moment in the march towards period progress but our work in Northern Ireland is just the latest chapter in the story – we are not finished yet!
We are the only social enterprise that donates 100% of our profit to funding the fight to eradicate period poverty and lobbying for period dignity. This model is a proven winner, and through dynamic partnerships like we’ve seen in Northern Ireland – I know we can make an even bigger impact around the rest of the UK.”
