Community
20 MHKs Vote in Favour of Introducing Free Period Product Bill
4 voted against
The Isle of Man has taken a step closer towards becoming one of the few countries in the world providing free period products to its residents.
In the House of Keys this week, Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher was granted leave to introduce a bill to secure the provision of free period products on the Island to anyone who needs them. It’s hoped the bill would not only help reduce period poverty in the Isle of Man but also work towards breaking the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.
In Keys, 20 voted in favour of Joney Faragher’s motion:
Dr Alex Allinson
Mr David Ashford
Mrs Clare Barber
Mrs Daphne Caine
Mr Rob Callister
Mr Alf Cannan
Mrs Claire Christian
Mrs Ann Corlett
Mr Tim Crookall
Ms Joney Faragher
Mr Tim Glover
Dr Michelle Haywood
Mr Lawrie Hooper
Mrs Sarah Maltby
Mr Jason Moorhouse
Mr Stu Peters
Mrs Jane Poole-Wilson
Mr Andrew Smith
Speaker, Mr Juan Watterson
Mr John Wannenburgh
Four voted against the motion:
Ms Julie Edge
Mr Tim Johnston
Ms Kate Lord-Brennan
Mr Chris Thomas
Ms Faragher will now start drafting the legislation.
Previously, locals have relied heavily on charities such as The Red Box Project to get free period products, however the organisation is no longer running. Having government legislation in place that sees period products provided for free in public places would take the strain off charities who rely heavily on volunteers and funding.
Currently, the only places to access free products are at the Isle of Man Foodbank and the newly set up ‘Period Pick n Mix’ station in Henry Bloom Noble Library, where people can simply go in and help themselves to whatever they need. However, the upkeep of both these services relies solely upon donations.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently the only countries in the world to have Period Products (Free Provision) legislation. Their set ups inspired the creation of campaign group the Manx Menstrual Movement who put forward the idea of implementing a similar bill here and set up the ‘Period Pick n Mix’ station at HBN Library.
