With one in five women and girls having reported experiencing period poverty, according to their 2024 Bloody Big Survey, Share the Dignity need the support of Australians to help end period poverty.
According to the Bloody Big Survey data, girls and women in Federation Shire are just some of those who report they’ve improvised on period products and have missed certain events due to the monthly occurrence.
In partnership with Woolworths, Dignity Drive is asking shoppers to add unopened packets of tampons, pads, period undies and reusable period products to their trolley and donate it at their local collection point at Corowa Woolworths.
To amplify the mission and drive meaningful change, Share the Dignity is launching a powerful new initiative: Bro in the Know, a nationwide call for men to join the fight to end period poverty.
Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay said period poverty was not just a women’s issue and needed the support of all Australians.
“We need men to stand beside us, not just in conversation, but in action,” Ms Courtenay said.
“Menstruation is not a choice, and no one should have to choose between buying period products so they can manage their period with dignity or buying essential items needed to get by.
Bro in the Know is designed to engage male allies and empower them with tools and education to advocate for change and break down stigmas.
“Only 35 per cent of respondents to our Bloody Big Survey said they felt confident in their menstrual education before their first period; can you imagine what the statistic for menstrual education looks like for men?” Ms Courtenay said.
Men are already making a difference with four men serving on Share the Dignity’s board.
“No male has to ever think about taking toilet paper to work, or when they go out to a pub or a social event at a sporting stadium, a restaurant or any other public venue, so why is it that women across our country still have to worry about whether or not they have a tampon,” director Shayne Gilbert said.
“The more men are educated and stand up for this issue, the faster we can remove stigma and ensure that no one is held back because of their period.”
The August Dignity Drive runs until August 31, with collection points at all Woolworths supermarkets and select businesses.
Federation Shire stats
• 80 per cent found it hard to afford period products
• 74 per cent missed school due to a period
• 72 per cent missed sport due to a period
• 56 per cent missed work due to a period,
• 42 per cent missed socialising due to a period, and
• 16 per cent of girls or women had no period education before their first period.
