Press Release: Thursday 6 March 2025
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy launches Period Dignity exhibition as part of Women’s Health Week 2025
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, T.D. today launched the ‘Period Dignity for All – Diverse voices & photography exhibition’ as part of Women’s Health Week 2025.
The exhibition illustrates the experiences and challenges of diverse groups of women in dealing with sexual and reproductive health, including the menstrual cycle.
Developed by the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) Dublin and South-East Health Area Social Inclusion Office, the exhibition also shines a spotlight on the demand for and impact of period dignity programmes nationwide.
Research shows that up to one in four women may experience period poverty on occasion, while one in 10 school-aged girls have reported being unable to afford period products.
The Department of Health has supported period dignity programmes annually since 2022, in line with the first Women’s Health Action Plan 2022-2023.
Funding through Healthy Ireland has enabled Local Authorities and NGOs to provide free period products to people who may need them, and to make these products available in public buildings such as libraries.
Period dignity schemes are also operated through the HSE National Social Inclusion Office, with a focus on reaching those experiencing consistent poverty, including homeless people, those living with addiction and minority groups such as Travellers and Roma. These programmes are supported by funding of €914,000 in 2025.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“The exhibition I’m launching today contributes to a growing conversation around period dignity and helps to increase our awareness of the challenges faced by many women in dealing with their menstrual cycle and paying for period products every month.
“Women who experience difficulty in accessing period products can face significant exclusion from activities of daily life. We know from the Healthy Ireland Survey that a significant proportion of women and girls are impacted by period poverty, adverse symptoms or both.
“I’m also acutely aware that the problem is more prevalent in underserved communities. I commend the work of the HSE’s Social Inclusion Office in developing initiatives to reach these groups and help eradicate period poverty.”
There have been significant developments in supporting period dignity since the publication of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper in 2021. This includes the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group to coordinate measures across government.
VAT has also been removed from all period products, while women’s health services have been developed to provide greater access to treatment for conditions relating to menstrual health such as endometriosis.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“While much progress has been made in developing women’s health services in the last few years, we still have a lot of work to do. Women should not find themselves financially disadvantaged because of their gender, and periods should not pose an additional burden.
“As Minister with responsibility for public health and wellbeing, I’m committed to ensuring that women are supported to manage their periods without stigma, shame, or embarrassment. I am determined to ensure that we continue to support and develop initiatives that bring us closer to true equality in healthcare.”