News Working Towards Menstrual Equity: Providing Free Menstrual Products to Survivors in Shelters Across the Province Working Towards Menstrual Equity: Providing Free Menstrual Products to Survivors in Shelters Across the Province Menstrual poverty is a significant issue for victims/survivors of domestic abuse. At ACWS, we recognize that menstrual poverty intersects with gender-based violence, and that women of color, Indigenous women, rural women, women who are homeless, and individuals who are trans or non-binary encounter the most significant barriers to accessing these products. Denying access to menstrual products or forcing a survivor to ask for permission to purchase menstrual products can be part of coercive control and is abuse. Additionally, as survivors often flee their abuser with few belongings, they come to our shelters or services without these supplies, and having to go out in public to purchase menstrual products can put them at risk. Now, thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart and their $100,000 grant to address menstrual poverty, ACWS is making menstruation products freely available to menstruators in need at Alberta shelters. Since Spring 2023, 13 member agencies have participated in the project, with an additional 4 members joining the project in 2024. Partnerships with Period Aisle, La Petite Ourse, Loblaw’s, and Saje have maximized the funds, enabling shelters to provide a variety of high-quality menstrual products including sustainable options such as menstrual cups and leak-proof underwear. Furthermore, shelters have been able to provide additional products, such as hot water bottles and aroma therapy kits, to support clients during their menstrual cycle. Our partnership with Period Aisle also provided the opportunity for ACWS members to participate in educational sessions on menstrual health and care. Members who participated in these sessions reported increased awareness of sustainable options for menstrual products and of what the menstrual cycle looks like, as well as increased comfort in discussing menstruation and options for period care with individuals seeking services. This project has had many positive impacts for the survivors our members support. The relief of stress associated with having limited options in menstrual products or not being able to provide these products at all means that shelters can focus more on other essential programs and services they provide, and survivors can focus on accessing the supports they need. The financial pressure associated with purchasing menstrual products can be a significant source of stress for survivors who often have limited funds, as well as shelter staff who must try to make do with limited supplies. Our hope is that relieving shelters and survivors of this stress enhances mental wellness for staff in shelters and the individuals we serve. The ability to preserve dignity and to offer choice to individuals seeking menstrual and menstrual management products is another important impact of this program. Providing shelters the capacity to offer a variety of options gives survivors the autonomy to choose the best option for them and encourages clients and shelter staff to have open conversations about menstruation and period care. This helps to empower survivors, shift the dialogue around menstruation, challenge stigma and normalize menstruation as healthy and natural. Access to a variety of menstrual and menstrual management products remains an ongoing need for shelters. ACWS continues working towards menstrual equity and ensuring survivors always have access to the menstrual products they need, because we believe access to period products is a basic human right.
