A new innovative project through United Way and the provincial government will provide Prince George residents in need with free menstrual products through a research project.
The project is titled the United Way Period Promise Research Project, backed by a $95,000 grant from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
It was officially announced in April when the government also announced that all schools in B.C. would be provided with free menstrual products.
“Menstrual Hygiene products are one of the most required yet least donated items. Periods are a fact of life. Women living in poverty face the added challenge of acquiring menstrual hygiene products. For women who are experiencing homelessness, it is an even bigger challenge," United Way of Northern B.C. CEO Roberta Squire says in a release. "Poverty, unfortunately, is notorious for being aligned with shame and something that is so natural for women shouldn’t be. Nobody thinks about the other items on our grocery list. You have to get soap, you have to get toothpaste, and for women, they need feminine hygiene products. And they’re not cheap. Last year compassionate corporate partners showed their 'Local Love' by collecting and donating feminine hygiene products that were disbursed to a number of worthy organizations. We look forward to the impact individuals, business and groups will make this year with this initiative."
The United Way says it's the first research project of its type in the country.
By the end of the summer, organizations such as the Prince George Sexual Assault Centre Society will be provided with menstrual products for clients in need.
Community organizations that receive and distribute donations will also log information about how period poverty is affecting local residents.
They will hear how increased access to menstrual products has affected their lives.
The data will be shared with B.C.'s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to continue to work towards solutions.
"The Prince George Sexual Assault Centre is proud to participate in the Period Promise Project and thanks to the United Way we are able to provide menstrual products to our clients," Executive Director of the Prince George Assault Centre Lynnell Hilikowski adds in the release. "Many women and girls are unable to fully participate in their lives due to unequal access to menstrual products. Through this project, our clients will have access to products that will allow them to attend school, work, counselling and to participate fully in the community."
If you've struggled to afford menstrual products, your voice matters; go to http://www.unitedwaynbc.ca/period-promise-survey to take a four-minute confidential survey.
To find accessible menstrual products in your area, please contact Prince George Sexual Assault Centre Society at 250-564-8302.
Great news! Beginning this month, people in need will receive access to free menstrual products in our community. It's all thanks to the United Way #PeriodPromise Research project, which aims to better understand period poverty. pic.twitter.com/MqKFBdC8ug
— United Way NBC (@unitedwaynbc) July 10, 2019
