General News
19 March, 2024
Help sought to ease period product pain
Demand for donated period products outweighed supply in the Wimmera during last August's Dignity Drive, and Share the Dignity fears this month requests will again far exceed donations received.
Demand for donated period products outweighed supply in the Wimmera during last August's Dignity Drive, and Share the Dignity fears this month requests will again far exceed donations received.
But what is just as alarming is that the charity says it doesn't have a local volunteer, with personnel from Ballarat needing to travel to the Wimmera to service the region.
Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay said donation numbers could be low because the charity didn't have a "face" locally.
"When regional towns like Horsham have local volunteers we usually see more period products donated," Ms Courtenay said.
"Our volunteers are our biggest advocates and having someone in the town who is passionate about the cause and wants to help locals experiencing period poverty makes a massive difference."
There were 785 requests made across the Wimmera during the last Dignity Drive but only 112 period products received.
This month, centres that assist women and girls affected by domestic violence, financial hardship and homelessness across the Wimmera have requested 1060 period products.
"Those experiencing period poverty in regional towns often face a unique set of challenges compared to those who live in the city," Ms Courtenay said.
"I've seen fewer organisations to turn to for support in regional towns and they can sometimes have less funding or support compared to organisations in the big cities.
"We've heard from some organisations that they just don’t have the funding to be able to supply period products.
"But by supporting Share the Dignity and donating in your local town you can help ensure those experiencing period poverty in your area have the dignity they deserve."
Share the Dignity has heard first-hand that when people struggle to make ends meet, pads and tampons are often the first thing removed from the shopping list.
Throughout March, Share the Dignity is collecting incontinence and period products in pink boxes at all Woolworths supermarkets nationwide to ensure those in need don’t have to risk their health and go through the indignity of using other items in place of period products.
All products collected through the Dignity Drive will be distributed to Share the Dignity’s 3000-plus charity partners, including community groups, domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters in the Wimmera.
Donations can be made at Horsham Woolworths at 108 Wilson Street.
People wanting to register as a volunteer for Share the Dignity can do so by visiting https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/volunteer
Read More: Horsham