Last week’s federal budget committed A$12.5 million over four years to deliver tampons, pads and other period care products to people who menstruate in rural and remote Indigenous communities. The provision of these products will be coordinated by the National Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation ( NACCHO ), the peak body for Indigenous-controlled health clinics in Australia.

These clinics are often highly trusted and well-attended by people in rural and remote Indigenous communities due to their culturally sensitive and holistic approaches to health and wellbeing. This move follows financial support for menstrual products more broadly over the past few years, including the provision of free period products in public schools across all Australian states and territories . But people who menstruate in rural and remote Indigenous communities face a unique set of challenges, and have a particular need for better access to period products.

One of us (Minnie King) is an Indigenous woman. I have seen members of my family and community challenged at times during menstruation by a lack of period products, as a result of low availability and choice, and high cost. I’ve also witnessed limited knowledge among young people of their changing bodies.

All of these issues are exacerbated by remoteness, which increases costs and reduces access to services. To open a positive discussion of this natural cycle, the two of us, together with other colleagues, have been involved i.