The Richmond School District has installed dispensers for menstrual products in female and gender-neutral washrooms in all the district’s schools.

At a cost of $70,000, the dispensers were installed by school district maintenance staff. However, the annual cost to refill the dispensers is still unknown, according the school district.

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Following a ministerial order last year, the board has developed a policy for the provision of menstrual products, saying a lack of access to these products can have a negative impact on students’ ability to participate at school and affect their social-emotional well-being.

Having menstrual products available will reduce stigma and promote gender equality, according to the proposed policy that the board will deal with at its meeting on Wednesday.

The order maintains that menstrual products must be available in washrooms for students “of all gender identities,” according to the ministry website. They have to be free, easily accessible and non-stigmatizing.

The policy will go out for public consultation and come back to the board for final approval.