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ORANGEVILLE CONSIDERS FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS IN TOWN FACILITIES

JOSHUA SANTOS joshuasantos@metroland.com

It's a natural process for people with periods, yet far too many are missing out on work, studies and recreational activities due to a lack of access or funds to afford products for their periods.

The Town of Orangeville plans to lead the charge as council directed staff to investigate the possibility of adding menstrual products in public facilities to reduce period poverty. Brennan Solecky, director of development and community engagement for Family Transition Place (FTP), applauds the gov

ernment for considering it.

"It's so easy and it's interesting that it's taken so long for us to get to this point, but I think proof of concept has been shown in other municipalities," said Solecky.

The Town of Caledon and the City of Mississauga offer products at dispensers in libraries and recreational facilities.

According to Plan International Canada, 63 per cent of people with periods have regularly or occasionally missed an activity because of their period and concerns about not being able to access menstrual hygiene products or proper facilities. The report also noted that 34 per cent of people with periods have had to regularly or occasionally forgo other purchases in order to afford menstrual products.

This could lead to unforeseen outcomes.

"If there was a girls' sports team and there's people who are menstruating compared to a boys' sports team, menstruators will have to worry about getting their periods randomly while playing sports," said Keyna Sarkar, founder of the Red Mvmnt, a grassroots youth-led non-profit focusing on advancing menstrual equity. "If they do get their period and if they don't have easy access to menstrual products, then they may have to sit out the game. There could be an important recruiter sitting out in the audience and it could really affect their future."

Period or menstrual equity refers to a movement making sure that all people who menstruate can access menstrual products for free and with dignity. It recognizes the financial burden placed on people who menstruate by ensuring products are available for all who require them.

FTP has a partnership with Period Purse to ensure a steady supply of products at any one time that staff give out for free to counselling and community clients and people with periods staying at the shelter.

"They are expensive," said Solecky. "When you think of pads, tampons, cups or discs — whatever you're using during your menstrual cycle, the cost adds up and there isn't an alternative to using them. It's important there's access."

The provincial government has committed to distributing six million menstrual products per year to school boards in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. The Upper Grand District School Board is part of it.

"The UGDSB recognizes the inequity placed on people who menstruate, and the additional challenges presented to the same people who may be living with limited access to funds and transportation, both of which are required to purchase menstrual products," said Heather Loney, communications manager for the school board. "This initiative is part of a collective approach to ensuring we continue to raise awareness and support inclusion and acceptance in various ways throughout our board."

Each school has one free and accessible vending machine with free products in a for use by all washrooms.

Sarkar hopes more people are comfortable discussing period poverty, as it affects people of all ages regardless of social economic class.

"It lurks in the shadows because people are not comfortable talking about periods due to the stigma around periods or the taboo that surrounds menstruation," said Sarkar. "So many single mothers out there that struggle to afford period products, and often they have to choose between buying food for their kids or buying a pack of pads for themselves."

The school board's program was established in 2020. The Upper Grand

Learning Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that supports students' needs, provided a $5,000 donation to the school board for the program.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: When Orangeville council directed staff to investigate the feasibility of period products in town facilities, reporter Joshua Santos was interested to hear from community leaders and the school board about why it's important to have these essential products in public places.

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2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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