The United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick wants to end period poverty and help destigmatize menstruation.
They’ve launched a campaign called the ‘Period Promise’.
“It’s something we’ve done for a few years now. It’s a campaign that we launched at the beginning of May,” says Shelley Steeves, Director of Communications and Marketing for the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick.
Local businesses and organizations are being encouraged to provide free menstrual hygiene products in their washrooms for people who are struggling to access them.
“According to Women and Gender Equity Canada, one in five people who menstruate say they can’t afford products at some point in the next year, and that’s people right here in our community. No one should have to choose between an essential product and having to buy food,” Steeves adds.
With the cost of living rising, it’s getting more and more difficult for low-income families who may be struggling to pay their bills each month to afford menstrual products.
“In addition, we’re also asking people to make donations. We’ve partnered with Jean Coutu in Greater Moncton, Southeastern New Brunswick and Eastern New Brunswick, and they have bins provided in store. If you’re buying a product for yourself, maybe buy an extra box or an extra bag of product and put it in the donation bin,” Steeves says.
The United Way will be collecting the product at the end of the month and distributing it to charities in the region in an effort to help end Period Poverty.
“Imagine coming from a family where you have four people who menstruate every month. Imagine the cost, and these products are not cheap. There is definitely a desperate need in our community for this,” Steeves stressed.
