Councillor urges Stormont Executive to give ‘dignity’ to women and girls by extending free period product funding

The female hygiene call comes as the elected member raised concerns of “never” seeing any of the products across council buildings despite a recent pilot scheme to have them provided.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council will now lobby the Executive to “explore” the public health matter.

In chambers, Councillor Nicola Parker said: "I am aware of a council pilot scheme we had on period poverty and it was to have free period products provided within all council buildings.

“I am conscious that I would be in our buildings quite often and never noticed any products.

“Is that something we still actively do? And if not, I would ask that we maybe look at that.”

A council officer responded: "This was previously a funded exercise through TEO (The Executive Office) and agreed to be piloted on a temporary basis through council facilities.

“It was then taken up and led through Libraries NI which we promote now.

“But happy to pick that up with TEO and see if we can explore that.”

Outside chambers, Councillor Parker added: “Approximately 232,000 people in Northern Ireland were living in relative poverty in 2024/25 and 67,000 of those are children.

“Nobody chooses to have a period, and no resident or visitor should be unable to fully use council services because they cannot access basic menstrual products.

“This is a small practical measure that supports dignity, inclusion and public health.”