Table of Contents
Updated on March 10, 2023
What is Period Poverty?
Period Poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, or proper waste management. Movements against period poverty are gaining a lot of traction worldwide, especially after countries like Scotland announced they will be providing menstrual products for free nation- wide. While progress is being made, there is still a long way to go before we eliminate period poverty altogether. In Canada, people who menstruate can often struggle to manage their periods, especially as teens and young adults. In fact, 1 in 3 people under the age of 25 struggle to afford menstrual products.
How Does it Impact Students?
Did you know 34% of people who menstrual have to sacrifice something else in their budget just to afford them. Students living in low-income households may rely on publicly available menstrual products to manage their periods. Many students also have school fees and loans that prevent them from having much income left over for menstrual management after covering living expenses. No student should have to miss school because of an unexpected period, or because they can’t afford to buy sanitary products.
How Can you Fight Period Poverty in Schools? Ask Brock University!
Located in St. Catherine’s, Ontario, Brock University is home to almost 20,000 students. In March of 2021, the Brock University Student Union partnered with Citron Hygiene to expand their Menstrual Equity Project. By installing touch-free Menstrual Hygiene Disposal and Coinless Vending in male, female, and unisex washrooms around the school, they are making it easier for students to access safe menstrual products and disposal!
By installing touch-free Menstrual Hygiene Disposal, they are providing a safe and discreet way to dispose of menstrual products without having to come into contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces. Unlike traditional menstrual disposal, like the metal wall box which can harbour viruses like COVID-19 for up to 3 days, Citron’s personal hygiene disposal prevents cross-contamination by being completely automatic!
Pairing touch-free Menstrual Hygiene Disposal with Coinless Vending means that every person who enters the Brock University campus has free access to menstrual products and could discreetly dispose of them. Unlike regular menstrual vending machines, our Coinless Vending doesn’t require cash, and dispenses pads and tampons at no cost. This makes it easier for students who may not be able to afford period products, or those who fear being outted or shamed for purchasing them, to better manage their period.
Fight Back Against Period Poverty in Your Facility with Citron!
School facilities should be equipped to empower and support students. Giving ALL students access to free menstrual products means no student or staff member will have to miss school due to their period. Is your school ready to join the movement? Contact us today to get started!
