Logan Central Plaza is partnering with the charity Share the Dignity for it’s Period Pride campaign, to remove the shame clouding periods, spark discussion, and gain insight into the issue of period poverty in Logan City.
Share the Dignity is an Australian charity bringing dignity to women and girls experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and period poverty through the distribution of period products. Since Share the Dignity was founded in 2015, they have been able to donate 2.8 million packets of pads and tampons to those in need. Share the Dignity believes that everyone experiencing period poverty deserves the right to their dignity.
Logan City Councillor Teresa Lane has shared her support for the charity campaign on social media.
“Great to hear from the team at Logan Central Plaza this morning who are once again partnering with Share the Dignity for the fourth year running,” she said.
“Share the Dignity is a great Australian charity dedicated to supporting women and girls in our community who every month go without period products because they cannot afford them, due to experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and period poverty.
“Through their donation drives, Share the Dignity collected more than 16,000 products over the last year.
“Pink collection boxes will be located throughout the Plaza, and are a great opportunity for everyday shoppers to support people in need.”
Simply distributing period products to those in need puts a band-aid on period poverty, it doesn’t solve it. That’s why, alongside the bi-annual March Dignity Drive, Share the Dignity will also be encouraging those who menstruate to complete a bloody big survey.
To make an on the ground difference in ending period poverty, Share the Dignity requires data to prove the social, personal, and financial impacts of menstruation among Australians.
This is a necessary step in a three-pronged approach to ending period poverty:
1. Distribution of products to those in need
2. Education around menstruation
3. Reducing the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation
“While the distribution of products is so important, if we still have shame and stigma surrounding menstruation, we can’t empower those in need to take control of their period,” said Rochelle Courtenay, Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity.
Share the Dignity has partnered with Facebook to encourage people to share their personal experiences around menstruation, to highlight common challenges that women face when it comes to periods.
This data will be used to change the conversation and smash the shame and stigma around periods, and importantly, affect lasting change in ensuring that all Australians have access to education around menstruation and period products when they need them.
For every survey completion, U by Kotex will donate a packet of pads to Share the Dignity to distribute to someone in need.
Share the Dignity will continue its bi-annual Dignity Drive throughout March to collect and distribute much needed period products to those in need. Supporters can drop off donations at all local Woolworths stores and a number of nominated businesses nationwide.
Share the Dignity believes that those in need have the right to use the products they are most comfortable in using. All approved period products are accepted, such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, period underwear and reusable pads as well as incontinence products. Share the Dignity requires all period products to be in the original packaging.
Learn more about period pride and complete the bloody big survey here.
