Prince Edward County’s  two largest community gathering spaces are now providing free menstrual products as part of a newly launched pilot project.

The municipality has installed dispensers in both the Prince Edward Community Centre (PECC) and Wellington and District Community Centre (WDCC) lobby washrooms. The profile of period poverty in Prince Edward County has been elevated in recent years thanks to community organizers such as Romona Roblin and Alison Kelly who co-founded Prince Edward County Period Party.

Following a deputation from members of the public in 2022, Council directed staff to explore the feasibility of a pilot project to provide menstrual products at public community facilities.

“When Ramona and I did our deputation last March, the action was for staff to come back with a report on the feasibility of a pilot project. Senior staff at the county decided to move right into the pilot project, which tells us not only have they seen how successful similar pilot projects in other municipalities have been, but they recognize the need for free menstrual products in our community, especially with the rising rate of poverty in Prince Edward County,” explained Kelly.

County Staff will monitor the results of the pilot at the two community centers and report back to Council this fall on a long-term plan for free menstrual products in additional facilities. Thanks to advocacy groups, period poverty is more widely discussed, leading to greater access to free products.

“We need more folks in our community to understand why having free products in their businesses and office space may mean staff members will stay at work vs leaving for the day. Or that it may mean a person who is visiting your place of business, who finds themself without a tampon, doesn’t need to worry about making their own products and staining their clothes. I would encourage the municipality and business leaders to look at implementing period leave, so those on staff who deal with severe pain or illness during their period can stay home and not worry about losing their jobs,” added Kelly.

“Did you know that more than 800 million people worldwide menstruate daily, yet some people cannot get what they need in almost every county,” asked 10-year-old Co-Organizer for Prince Edward County Period Party Ramona Roblin.

According to Jana Girdauskas, CEO of Toronto’s The Period Purse, 70 per cent of girls and women will miss school or work due to their period at some point in their lives.

“You may be surprised to learn that period poverty exists here in Canada,” added Roblin.

Plan International Canada’s 2019 Gender Study shared that 68 per cent of women in Canada felt that their period prevented them from fully participating in an activity. More than half have missed school, work or social activities. The number was higher for women under 25, with 70 per cent refraining from participation.

“Through my term as a school board trustee and while working at the ROC, I heard from many students and staff it was common for students to leave school when they were having their period, either due to lack of products and the embarrassment of asking for supplies, staining of clothes, or for many, the physical pain they endure,” said Kelly.

Nearly a quarter of Canadian women and a third of women under 25 have reported struggling to afford menstrual products for themselves or their dependents. Canadians who menstruate typically spend up to $6,000 in their lifetime on menstrual hygiene products. Those living in more remote, rural and northern communities can spend up to double the price for the same products found in urban communities.

Ramona Roblin at the 2022 PEC Period Party. (Facebook photo)

“Those numbers are much higher in Indigenous communities because a box of tampons could be $45 if it’s even available,” stated Gridauskas. “Period poverty is real here in Canada.”

“It’s also important how we use language when discussing period poverty. It’s not only girls and women who get their periods, but also trans and non-binary folks who menstruate. It’s also why we must move away from saying ‘feminine products’ and call them what they are. Menstrual products,” added Kelly.

Period poverty describes many low-income women, girls, trans, and non-binaries who struggle to afford menstrual products. The term also refers to the increased economic vulnerability they face due to the financial burden of menstrual supplies. These include menstrual pads, tampons and related costs such as pain medication and underwear.

“Menstrual products are as basic a need as toilet paper,” said Roblin.

In 2014, it was reported that Canadians who purchased menstrual hygiene products spent about $519 million, and the government collected approximately $36 million in tax. Although the government decided to remove that tax on the products in 2015, the cost continues to be too high for many.

“I feel the companies making oodles of cash, hand over foot, can afford to provide free menstrual products. But, it also comes down to municipalities and school boards prioritizing products the same way they prioritize and budget for toilet paper, paper towels, and hand soap,” said Kelly.

The provincial and federal government can take the lead from other countries who provide it free, such as New Zealand, Scotland, Kenya, Zambia and more.”

Kelly read that Zambia implemented free products as of 2019, and educators in rural Lusaka province reported that school attendance has improved since the measure was enacted.

Always and Plan International Canada believes that periods should not be an obstacle for anyone. They are committed to confronting these challenges in Canada and around the world. They do this by providing free menstrual health education to community members, supplying access to period products and sparking conversations around periods to fight the stigma.   Menstrual Health and Hygiene are essential to the well-being and empowerment of all those who menstruate.  To effectively manage menstruation, menstruators require access to five essential things. Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, affordable and proper menstrual hygiene materials, access to good practices and a supportive environment where they can maintain menstruation without shame, humiliation or stigma.

“We need the government to recognize the class divide that is growing at record speed and do the real work to address poverty. We need access to family doctors so those suffering from the effects of menstrual and menopause can get immediate support, whether it’s medicine or surgery,” said Kelly.

When girls and women have access to safe and affordable sanitary materials to maintain their menstruation, they reduce their risk of infections.

“Poverty can lead to people using the same pad or tampon for too long, even multiple days, causing infection or toxic shock syndrome, which can be fatal. It can also cause people to make their own products from toilet paper, newspaper, socks, or cardboard, which could lead to infection,” said Roblin.

This can have catastrophic effects on overall sexual and reproductive health. Poor menstrual hygiene can cause serious health risks, like reproductive and urinary tract infections which can cause severe consequences for future infertility and birth complications.