Addressing period poverty in elementary and high schools

BY PAUL JUNOR

The issue of period poverty is one that unfairly and disproportionately impacts women, girls, and females all over the world. According to an online article at www.medicalnewstoday.com, “Period poverty refers to a lack of access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities, and adequate education. This widespread issue affects 500 million people worldwide. Those experiencing period poverty may have mental health challenges and physical health risks.”

The Toronto Youth Council (TYC), which was established in 1998 by the Toronto City Council, has been at the forefront of highlighting issues important to youth between the ages of 13 and 24. As an advisory body that is working for an equitable and youth-friendly city, the TYC has focused on period poverty as an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.

On Tuesday, March 8^th, 2022, the TYC held a press conference along with representatives from the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and the College Student Alliance to draw attention to period poverty that is prevalent in colleges and universities. In addition, a joint statement was released in a press release titled, “TYC Joint Statement on Promoting Menstrual Equity in Ontario Schools,” directed to Ontario Education Minister Stephen Leece.

The letter described a report by Plan International Canada which discovered that “One-third of Canadian women under the age of 25 say they’ve struggled to afford menstrual products, 83% say they feel their period prevents them from participating in activities, while 70% say they have missed school or work or have withdrawn from fully participating in social activities because of their period. We must also acknowledge that the data does not capture the experiences of trans men and gender non-binary people.”

Stephen Mensah, Executive director of the TYC, mentioned how serious this issue is. He states, “For far too many, feminine hygiene products are a financial burden, and going without them can be painful and embarrassing. There should be no stigma around something as fundamental as menstruation. Menstrual products are a necessity and not a luxury.”

Eunice Oladejo, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance highlighted the fact that this issue has a greater impact on racialized students and those with disabilities as a significant financial barrier, especially those in rural environments where it is double the amount in urban areas. She states, “A lack of access to these products should not impede on a student’s engagement with higher education, but the truth is that it does.”

The Ontario government took steps in October 2021 to address period poverty in elementary and high schools by providing free pads to students through a partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. Before Minister Leece made that announcement, several school boards in Ontario were dispensing free menstrual products to students.

The joint letter sent to Minister Leece can be seen at the website: https://www.thetyc.ca