{"id":64420,"date":"2020-03-04T14:38:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T19:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=64420"},"modified":"2020-03-04T14:38:47","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T19:38:47","slug":"brock-aids-in-fight-against-period-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2020\/03\/brock-aids-in-fight-against-period-poverty\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock aids in fight against period poverty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Girls<\/span> are missing<\/span> one<\/span> week of school <\/span>every month <\/span>because of <\/span>the <\/span>inability to afford <\/span>a basic necessity <\/span>\u2014<\/span> menstrual hygiene products.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>in seven Canadian girls have <\/span>either had to leave school or have missed it entirely due<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a lack of<\/span> access to period products<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brock University is teaming up with United Way Niagara to fight period povert<\/span>y<\/span> for the second year in a row<\/span>. <\/span>The Period Promise, formally known as Tampon Tuesday, <\/span>is a community-wide product drive to collect tampons, pads, cups and any other unopened menstrual products<\/span> for those in need<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Period products can be challenging to purchase for those living in poverty or in vulnerable situations, leaving many with the difficult choice between buying groceries or tampons. One in three Canadian women under the age of 25 have struggled to afford menstrual products.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeriod poverty is a global issue,\u201d said Katie Marino, Communications Assistant, Development and Alumni Relations. \u201cBy spearheading this campaign year after year, United Way and the Brock University community truly make a difference to females in need through<\/span>out<\/span> our region.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brock<\/span>\u2019s United Way committee<\/span> will be collecting products from Thursday, March 5 to Friday, March 20 in many locations a<\/span>cross<\/span> the University (listed below).<\/span> Community members are being asked to bring in a<\/span>n unopened<\/span> period product (or products)<\/span> and help Brock reach its donation goal of 250 boxes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis campaign is about mobilizing our campus community and raising awareness about the need for<\/span> accessible <\/span>products<\/span>,\u201d said Megan Brown, Community Engagement Coordinator, Student Life and Community Experience.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Nobody should have to make the difficult <\/span>decision<\/span> between <\/span>purchasing food for the week or buying menstrual hygiene products.\u00a0<\/span>By contributing to this campaign, Brock can make a positive impact in the lives of those who face these barriers within our community<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All donations will be given to local agencies and service providers <\/span>in the communities of Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland and West Lincoln.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the fight against period poverty, m<\/span>any local businesses, <\/span>including Community Care, Project SHARE<\/span>, The RAFT and <\/span>YWCA Niagara Region<\/span> have <\/span>signed th<\/span>e United Way\u2019s <\/span>Period Promise Policy, which commits to providing free period products to anyone accessing their facilities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 129,000 people receive support through United Way\u2019s 111 funded programs and special <\/span>initiatives annually<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What:<\/span><\/b> Period Promise \u2013 Menstrual hygiene product collection drive<\/span>
\n<\/span>When:<\/span><\/b> Thursday, March <\/span>5 to <\/span>Friday, March 20<\/span>
\n<\/span>Where:<\/span><\/b> Across <\/span>Brock<\/span> campus:<\/span><\/p>\n