Among the many vendors at ‘I Love Regina Day’ on Saturday was a new non-profit organization looking to tackle “period poverty” in the city. Two months ago, social workers Amber Bayda and Viviana Crighton started ‘The Period Network,’ an initiative aimed at helping provide menstrual product support in Regina. “I have been a social worker for about 15 years now,” said Bayda, who’s currently in private practice as a therapist. “Through health care, child welfare and non-profits, I’ve seen this issue come up again and again, with period poverty.” Crighton, who’s been in social work for 13 years, agrees with the “period poverty” problem in the community. “We have women who are struggling to access these products that are absolutely necessities,” she explained. “These aren’t optional products that they’re using. Our big thing is making sure that they’re accessible and providing these products with dignity.” The co-founders say “period poverty” means having a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene, facilities and waste management. They’ve set out to donate packs of 20 products, or the average amount someone may use per cycle. “I know from my work, having worked with many women who didn’t have access to products, it’s embarrassing,” said Bayda. “It’s something that you need every single month. People have blood on their pants, people are embarrassed to go to work. It’s a big, big problem.” The Period Network says 1 in 6 Canadians who menstruate experience period poverty. The packs they send out can help save money in the meantime. “Of course, these products are essential, but they’re not free, which is the problem,” said Bayda. “If you want to do something like a menstrual cup, you’re looking at $40. If you want to do pads or tampons, they could range from $10-20 a pack,” There are nine collection sites currently set up to receive donations around the city, which will then be distributed to people in need. Locations include: Anderson Physio + Associates Big Brothers Big Sisters Blak Apparel Eastgate Collective Homeland Collective Lakeview United Church Sanctuary Studio The Lingerie Shop Twice Loved Boutique + Consignment Andrew Love, executive director of Pine Lodge Addiction Recovery, has been one of the recipients of the free products. “A lot of the folks that are coming into our center are living in poverty and are homeless, so they don’t have these essential hygiene items,” explained Love. “It’s always helpful for us when people are donating those things.” Love says they serve about 200 women per year. Clothes typically make up a sizable part of their donations, and menstrual products are always in demand. “We do have some budget for things like that, but oftentimes we want to give out to the community as well,” he said. “Anytime we receive anything we’re able to distribute it to people that may not be able to access some of these services. It’s extremely important because personal hygiene for some folks is not exactly accessible.” Crighton says their work is leading to important conversations. “This is a conversation that’s not happening out in the public space, but it’s a conversation that people feel should be happening. This is not just a women’s issue. We all come from women, most of us have partners, sisters, daughters, mothers. This is an issue that impacts absolutely everybody.” The Period Network has donated around 50 packs so far.
