BRAMPTON WOMAN FIGHTS PERIOD POVERTY

KEYNA SARKAR STARTED THE RED MVMNT IN HIGH SCHOOL, NOW SHE'S TAKING HER CAUSE CANADA-WIDE

If there's one thing that has Keyna Sarkar "seeing red," it's period poverty.

Growing up in Brampton, Sarkar became passionate about advocating for access to period products in public washrooms, and created an organization called the Red MVMNT.

In 2022, she took her cause to the City of Brampton and Region of Peel, both of which signed on to provide free menstrual products in city and region-run spaces.

"The stigma is very strong," she said, talking about the shame and embarrassment that many feel about periods, and even just talking about them.

Just recently, she gave a presentation for her university class about period poverty, and says she watched one young man almost melt into his chair, visibly uncomfortable with the topic.

"I hope it stuck with him ... and challenges his own thinking process," she said.

Now, studying commerce at the University of British Columbia, Sarkar is working to open Red MVMNT chapters across Ontario, and inspire other youth.

"I'm really interested in incubating leaders for tomorrow," she said, adding that she has been able to connect with other grassroots organizations out in British Columbia.

Sarkar says eliminating the stigma around periods is important for equality and elevating the status of women.

"We're making progress, but we still have so much more to do," she said, explaining that providing menstrual products in public spaces is fundamental to this goal. "It starts with empowering women and giving them dignity."