A pilot program will track how many free menstrual products are used and by who, to craft better policies and eliminate barriers for women in need. (Pixabay)

By Spencer Sterritt

period promise

Pilot project aims to help Nanaimo women suffering period poverty

Jul 10, 2019 | 9:41 AM

NANAIMO — A pilot project aims to help find the best way to assist vulnerable Nanaimo women who have to choose between food and menstrual products.

The United Way Period Promise Research Project is building off of existing efforts to supply products to women in need.

Signy Madden, executive director of the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island, said this project builds off a campaign in March and April where roughly 500,000 feminine hygiene products were donated and given out.

“What we’re trying to figure out is how deep is the need, what’s the best way to distribute projects and what’s the best way to measure if it will improve the quality of peoples lives.” _{Signy Madden}

Products will be distributed through the Nanaimo Women’s Centre for the next year and studied six times during the length of the project.

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“If you’ve got to make a choice between eating and purchasing feminine hygiene products, that’s a tough choice to make,” Madden said. “We’ve got a pretty extensive food security system…but the issue of feminine hygiene products hasn’t really been understood as a barrier for a lot of people living in poverty.”

Madden said while the stigma about menstruation is lessening, it can still be a difficult subject to tackle.

“I think it’s just taken a while for people to go ‘Oh, this is something we can talk about and not be ashamed of.’ It’s much like mental health and other issues where it takes a little while for stigma to go away.”

The pilot project gathering data will be the first of its kind in Canada. The data will be used by the province to craft future legislation and plans to remove barriers for the most vulnerable.

Nanaimo Women’s Centre executive director Chantal Roelens said they’re thrilled at the opportunity to make a difference.

“Having access to free menstrual products should be a human right and is a basic need,” Roelens said in a release. “Our clients should not have to face period poverty amongst their challenges.”

Women receiving the products will be asked questions and there’s also a confidential survey online for anyone who’s struggled to afford menstrual products.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit