The Kamloops-Thompson School District has been working towards making menstrual products available to students for free and it has now completed the process of installing dispensers in every washroom in all of its schools for $80,000.

Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk calls it a great policy that allow students to access products discreetly while removing some of the stigma.

“Students who need those products are going to be able to access them discreetly. They’re not going to have to go and ask an adult for them. They’re there. They can get them whenever they need them. That takes away a lot of stigma for students.”

“We did receive a grant from the provincial government for $7,000 and it is very much appreciated. The challenge is having to divert some of that money to putting in the dispensers means that other projects get delayed.”

“It’s very, very worthwhile project to do. But it did cost us $80,000. Ongoing cost annually we believe is going to be about $10,000.”