Pad by pad, tampon by tampon we have made huge progress in the last 6 years to End Period poverty...

Share the Dignity has just turned six. 

When I first read the article talking about women using newspaper and socks to deal with their period in 2015 I was shocked that this problem existed in Australia, that women and girls were going without period products because they could not afford them. People across the country were resorting to wadded up toilet paper, socks, and newspaper to deal with their period. I never thought the problem would be as big or as horrific as it is in Australia.

Pad by pad, tampon by tampon Share the Dignity have made huge progress in the last six years to end period poverty and to challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation. I knew very early on that while we could collect period products and distribute them to those in need, this was not ending period poverty, there was so much more to do than just supplying pads and tampons.

Making an impact in this world is never a one-person job, it takes a team to create ripples that drive meaningful transformation of the way our society views periods. We work with over 5,000 volunteers and a team of 15 staff to address this problem. Our volunteers work across the country to collect and distribute products to over 3,000 charities nationwide to ensure those in need get the support they require.

We at Share the Dignity know that ending period poverty is a multi-pronged approach- which is far beyond products only. In the past six years, we have collected over 2.8 million period products to give to those in need. The next step is for Australians to set the scene for the rest of the world and change the narrative on menstruation.

For the past six years we have actively campaigned for better menstrual health education, tax-free products and more. Yet government and media interest in the provision of period products is only recently gaining momentum. Since we started Share the Dignity in 2015, the movement has become increasingly visible. The common theme across most of these efforts, however, is that they are product-focused. By placing the pad, tampon, cups, or period underwear at the centre of attention, we have been building on a missing the larger problem: stigma.

Share the Dignity started with nothing but a desire to make a change… and six years on, we’ve overcome the hurdles and barriers around what is considered a taboo topic to be a loud voice that is loud and proud and helping more women, but we have so much more to do.

This year on International Women’s Day we launched the campaign Period Pride, a campaign designed to encourage conversation and to change the narrative around menstruation. Partnering with Facebook, the world’s largest communicator, it is our mission to change the conversation and address period poverty and periods full stop. Through the campaign, we aim to conduct the world’s largest survey on menstruation so we can understand how periods impact Australian’s and lobby for real change. The data from this survey will be announced August 1 2021.

Navigating period woes can be daunting. From excessive bleeding and pain to hormonal changes and period poverty, many suffer in silence due to menstrual stigma. Globally, harmful myths and restrictions prevent many from participating in important activities, from sport to school to cooking. It is time to stop covering up periods. We know that strong taboos often prevent people from asking for help and support, including asking for free period products.

So, where do we go from here?

There are several key things that will help reduce menstruation stigma, including:

Better, more inclusive, menstrual cycle and health education for all, beginning in primary school and including boys. This education should continue throughout secondary school, as teens progress through puberty and have evolving needs. Educating teachers and coaches is also key. Period Talk by Talk Revolution is a tool for this, Share the Dignity funded this project to ensure that education is delivered in a way to remove the shame and stigma. Period talk is delivered by six confident children, including two young boys, to educate children on periods.

We need to ensure that there is education and support in terms of coping with pain, emotional and physical changes and more. We need education on endometriosis, PCOS and other illnesses so we can further educate girls on what additional support they may need due to their period.

Above all, we need to talk about menstruation more freely, and work towards ending the shame that has kept people in the dark about their own bodies for generations. Period pride. PERIOD!