As the cost of living continues to rise across Canada, many women are faced with the difficult decision of choosing between feeding their families and purchasing menstrual products, according to advocates.
In an effort to address period poverty, which refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities, the federal government announced on Thursday that it will provide $17.9 million in funding to Food Banks Canada. This funding will support a nationwide pilot program aimed at tackling the affordability challenges and stigmatization associated with accessing menstrual products that many Canadians face.
“We are feeling the pressure of rising costs of just about everything. And today we’re thinking about women, those that menstruate, that have to think twice about picking up a box of pads or a box of tampons,” said Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien during a press conference.
“Period poverty isn’t some kind of abstract concept; it has a direct link to the wallets of women and girls. And it isn’t just about accessibility, it’s also about cost.”
According to a March 2023 report by Women and Gender Equality Canada, one in six Canadians who menstruate have personally experienced period poverty, and this number rises to one in four if their household earns less than $40,000 a year. The report also found that one in five people who menstruate say they may struggle to afford period products in the next year.
Food Banks Canada will run the National Menstrual Equity Fund pilot, which aims to distribute free menstrual products to diverse, low-income communities across the country.
The organization will also collaborate with grassroots organizations, including the Allen Gardens Food Bank in Toronto, where the press conference was held.
Meryl Wharton, president of the food bank, mentioned that due to rising living costs and inflation, the food bank has seen a significant increase in visits over the past few years.
“Food security is getting worse,” she said during the press conference. “When we started, we used to feed 100 to 150 people. Now we’re serving 1,100 people in two days.”
