5 Ways to Achieve Menstrual Equity
Written by Kate Elliott, President of Changing the Flow. Published on October 2, 2020.
Admittedly, the term ‘menstrual equity’ can seem a bit confusing.
What on earth is that? Does that mean everyone’s periods are in sync? But what about ending period poverty? All of these questions might pop into your head, so, let’s kick off with a definition to make sure we’re all on the same page…
Menstrual equity is having equal access to period products, ways to manage menstruation, as well as education around reproductive health.
Here are five easy actions you can do to help achieve menstrual equity:
1. Donate Period Products
The cost of period products can be a huge barrier for people trying to manage their period. In fact, 1 in 3 people have struggled to buy period products during this pandemic.
This means that some folks have to resort to using products for too long, theft, or homemade alternatives like socks and newspapers. You can make a huge difference by donating period products within your community - try your local food bank and shelters!
If you’re unsure whether they are accepting donations, give them a call or send an email in advance.
2.
Put Period Products in your Bathroom
And a bin! Now, this one is a bit less pressing given that we all have a lot fewer visitors in our home thanks to social distancing. However, this is still something you can implement now. Whether you menstruate or not, someone using your bathroom might!
Don’t make it so that they have to ask you for products, just have them in the bathroom ready. And a crucial part is to remember the bin...you don’t want your guests to have to carry their garbage out.
3.
Talk About Periods
Now, this is a simple one. In my experience, once you start, you can’t stop! Talk about it with your friends, your family, your children...yep, that includes the cis-men around you! I do get that this might be intimidating, and the goal isn’t to make anyone uncomfortable.
58% of female respondents to a Plan International survey said they occasionally or regularly felt the need to lie about being on their period or hide a menstrual product.
The bottom line is that periods are normal, and we should treat them that way. Talk about your experiences, talk about the pain, and talk about the times you have to make a toilet paper pad!
4.
Push for your Workplace/School to Provide Period Products
I’m not talking about those rusty dispensers that require loose change (an archaic concept at this point). This can be as simple as a basket on the back of the toilet or next to the sinks that have period products for when you need them.
Period products are just as important as toilet paper and anyone can be caught off guard! If they won’t listen to you, try putting in some products yourself to gain evidence that people need them.
5.
Purchase a Period Shirt
Coincidentally, this will also cover steps 1 and 3! The Period Shirt we co-created with The Community Company is beautiful and it feels amazing to wear.
The Period Shirt supports menstrual equity, normalizes periods, and starts a conversation. If wearing a beautiful shirt with a used period product on it doesn’t scream “PERIODS ARE NORMAL”, then I really don’t know what does..
The Period Project
Ensuring access to menstrual products and normalizing periods through our Period Shirts.
Proceeds from every T-Shirt sold will help distribute Period Packs to students and families who need it most, through our partnership with grassroots organizations in our community like Nutrition for Learning and HOPE House.
To date, over 300 Period Packs have been distributed to students and families in our community.
Discover our
Period Shirt Designs
Are you on #teamtampon? #teampad? Tap the image above to select your Period Shirt colour and size!
Bold, Elegant, Comfy
All 3 of our designs are bold and eye-catching.
Our logos were hand-drawn and embroidered onto our shirts for that extra touch of elegance and style.
Our straight fit shirts (unisex) are manufactured by Bella + Canvas, a company that is platinum WRAP certified, meaning they have the highest standards for employee ethics in production.
Lastly, our shirts are really soft. We went the extra mile every step of the way because we want this to be one of your favourite t-shirts ever.
More About the Shirt!
Our three amazing designs were created by Amsa Yaro, a mixed media artist based out of London, Ontario
The embroidery was done by a local embroidery company in Waterloo, Ontario
Our shirt labels were sewn on by an amazing woman named Lenka, who operates a home clothing alternation business out of Guelph, Ontario
The shirts themselves are manufactured by Bella + Canvas; they are the 3413 Triblend Shirts, which is the best t-shirt in their apparel line
We selected Bella + Canvas because of their commitment to ethical clothing production; they are sweatshop free, platinum WRAP certified, and manufacture in North America
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