Menstruation Nation

A couple of weeks ago I was walking downtown, complaining to a friend about the price of tampons. They’re expensive – the average box is $7, but if you live in a population-dense area and don’t have access to big-box stores, a box will run you closer to $10.

Until 2015, tampons were taxed as a luxury/non-essential product (interestingly, wedding cakes and cocktail cherries were not subject to the same tax). It has been estimated that the cost of menstruating over one’s lifetime is $18,171.

On this walk, I saw a young person asking for money. A paper I wrote about menstrual product equity during my undergrad popped into my head – I wondered how easily people accessing social service organizations were able to obtain menstrual products.

I went home and I did a little digging, sent a few emails and I realized there was a huge need for menstrual product donations in our community. People don’t often donate menstrual products to social service organizations and there is a high turnover for these products.

This issue is near to my heart – on a personal level, I’ve experienced hormonal issues which result in unpredictable menstruation. I recognize how privileged I am to be able to easily access the products I need. So many folks out there are forced to make tough decisions between resources they need (i.e. food, items for their children, etc.) and a menstrual hygiene product. People are forced to use makeshift methods (socks, newspapers), which can have serious health and physical implications.

I think the reasons this issue exists are complex: period stigma, commercialization and commodification of female bodies, poverty and homelessness overlap to create this huge issue for so many people. I realize that providing menstrual products isn’t hitting the root causes, but in the short term it is important to do what we can to make people in our community comfortable and secure. Providing menstrual products has a ripple effect, taking away stress and discomfort can have a wide-ranging impact.

How You Can Help

I’ve started a collective called The Period Posse and the Menstrual Product Drive 2017 is our first event. The event kicks off on November 27th and the final drop off day is December 20th. All of the proceeds from this drive benefit people who access the Cool Aid Society, including those in need at the Sandy Merriman House for Women and the Rock Bay Landing.

We need donations of panty liners, pads, menstrual cups, tampons and underwear

I’m excited – there has been so much support from our local government and business for this cause. Below is a list of drop box locations on campus where you can donate menstrual supplies. If a cash donation suits you better, please go to https://coolaid.org/donate/ and specify “menstrual product” in the message box.

If you want to get in touch, check out the Period Posse Facebook page.

Find donation boxes on campus:

• UVSS Food Bank
• GSS office
• UVic Welcome Centre

Author

Lindsay Shaw is a second year MSc student in the Social Dimensions of Health program. Her thesis examines the normalization of recreational magic mushroom use in Victoria.

Lindsay is a Research Assistant at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, the BC Centre for Disease Control and in the School of Nursing. She is also a Research Intern at the Leadership Victoria Society. Outside of school and work Lindsay can be found eating a breakfast sandwich or running by the ocean (in no particular order).