Lidl is fighting period poverty with free products

Ireland – Supermarket chain Lidl Ireland is improving access to sanitary products for those in period poverty.

The initiative, which marks a first for the retail sector, will enable women to freely access products without financial barriers. Making use of the Lidl app, the supermarket is allowing its customers to claim a dedicated coupon in order to access one free box of sanitary pads or tampons each month.

‘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 on those who would otherwise have to use less suitable materials or none at all,' explains Aoife Clarke, head of communications for Lidl Ireland. As part of the initiative, the retailer is also pledging to give quarterly donations of period products to homeless people.

By going beyond tokenistic efforts and overcoming financial barriers, Lidl sets an example of how Civic Brands can work towards eradicating period poverty.