Menstruation should never be a source of shame or exclusion. By tackling stigma head-on and ensuring free access to menstrual products in schools, Malta is taking an important step towards dignity, equality, and inclusive education.

The government’s campaign launched last year to end the stigma surrounding periods marks a significant step towards gender equality, public health, and social inclusion.

The importance of this initiative was recently highlighted by a controversy on social media, sparked by a billboard displayed by a private company depicting a sanitary pad stained with blood. The reaction was mixed. Some supported the message, others opposed it, while many argued that such an image should never appear in a public space. The debate itself exposed the enduring taboo surrounding menstruation, despite it being a biological reality rather than a moral failing or an embarrassment.

For generations, periods have been treated as something to hide, discussed in whispers, masked by euphemisms, or ignored altogether. This stigma has real consequences, particularly for young people, affecting their confidence and mental well-being.

Such attitudes have fostered ignorance, shame, and discrimination, especially in schools where many experience menstruation for the first time. A campaign that openly challenges these perceptions is therefore a vital step towards meaningful change.

It is to my great satisfaction that during this legislature the government has introduced a zero VAT rate on all menstrual products and, even more importantly, begun distributing free menstrual products in all secondary schools in Malta and Gozo.

By providing free menstrual products in schools, the initiative helps to normalise a natural biological process that has long been surrounded by silence, shame, and misinformation. Ensuring that these products are readily available in schools creates an environment in which no student is forced to choose between their education and managing their period with dignity.

However, ending period stigma is not only about providing supplies. It is about changing attitudes. When menstruation is discussed openly and factually, it loses its power as a source of embarrassment. Education fosters understanding, and understanding builds respect. This benefits everyone, not only those who menstruate.

The End the Stigma Period campaign sends a powerful message that menstruation is normal and that there is no shame in talking about it. Open discussions in classrooms help dismantle myths, reduce stigma, and promote empathy. Inclusive education also encourages boys and non-menstruating students to become allies, reducing teasing, bullying, and discrimination.

If society is truly committed to equality, periods must no longer be treated as a personal inconvenience but recognised as a public health and social issue. Acknowledging menstruation as a normal part of life brings us closer to genuine equality.

I am pleased to say that health experts and educators have welcomed the initiative, noting that early education about menstruation can have long-term benefits. Young people who understand their bodies are more likely to seek medical advice when necessary and less likely to internalise harmful beliefs.

Some critics may question the cost of such programmes, dismissing them as unnecessary expenditure. This argument misses the point. Schools already provide essential hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, and basic sanitary facilities without debate. Menstrual products are no different. Treating them as necessities rather than luxury items reflects a broader commitment to human dignity.

Ending stigma will not happen overnight. It requires sustained education, open dialogue, and continued policy support. Nevertheless, this campaign represents real progress. By providing free menstrual products in schools and encouraging honest conversations, the government is helping to break a long-standing taboo and ensure that periods are no longer a barrier to education, opportunity, or self-respect.

Author: Rebecca Buttigieg, MP