Lidl Ireland makes history as first major retailer to offer free period products

In a bid to fight the good fight against period poverty, Lidl Ireland is changing the game by becoming the first major retailer to offer free period products to those most in need.

A stand against period poverty

The discount supermarket chain has taken a vow to provide people who menstruate across the Republic of Ireland with sanitary products in partnership with Homeless Period Ireland and the Simon Communities of Ireland.

The supermarket chain explained that upon looking into a study conducted by Plan International they found that about 50% of people between the ages of 12 and 19 in Ireland claimed having a hard time being able to afford period products. Aoife Clarke, Head of Communications for Lidl Ireland, said:

The guiding principle of this initiative is the inherent respect for the dignity of all those concerned, and it is our hope that it will have an impact those who would otherwise have to use less suitable materials or none at all.

Access for the homeless too

Underprivileged shoppers will be able to claim a dedicated coupon that will entitle them to a free box of pads or tampons every month through the Lidl Plus app. The first free box of sanitary products will be available for collection as of 3 May.

And as if that weren't enough to cement their status as trailblazers for women's rights, Lidl Ireland has also committed itself to quarterly donations of period products in partnership with The Simon Communities. This comes as an attempt to provide relief to homeless people without access to smartphones who would otherwise not be able to benefit from the initiative. Clarke explained:

At Lidl, it has long been our priority to support the communities we operate in across the country, and that has been even more prevalent since the onset of the pandemic.

And added:

Since learning more about the growing issue of period poverty in Ireland, we’ve passionately felt that as a family retailer it’s in our communities’ best interest to support young girls and women who are affected by this issue.