For many Australian women, dealing with their monthly period is something they take for granted – a quick dash to the shop and a few days of discomfort.
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But for the 40,000 homeless women in Australia, it is something very different.
Some women are forced to choose between buying pads and tampons or feeding their family – and use wadded-up toilet paper, newspaper or socks as makeshift pads.
Share the Dignity believes every woman should have the right to be able to access to sanitary items – and with the support of the Australian public, its team has collected more than 450,000 packets of pads and tampons in 18 months.
Weston Community Preschool is one of the local drop-off sites for Share the Dignity’s April 2017 donation drive.
The preschool’s president, Samantha Tama, is also national operations manager for Share the Dignity.
Ms Tama said when she became aware of the reasons Share the Dignity was established, she couldn’t sit back and do nothing.
“Sanitary items are a right, not a privilege,” she said.
“I had never considered what women who couldn’t afford pads and tampons did every month.
“Once I heard they used newspaper, wadded up socks or toilet paper, I was ashamed that I hadn't got involved before.”
Ms Tama said Cessnock has a high population of at-risk women and unfortunately, over the last 12-to-18 months, a higher number of homeless too.
“It’s important women can deal with their period regardless of their financial situation,” she said.
“The downturn in the mines has seen a huge increase in people accessing low-income support services.
“We support those services who in turn are able to provide sanitary items to women who are in the very real predicament of choosing between a $5 pack of pads or food for children.”
Share the Dignity also supports domestic violence services, such as Cessnock refuge Jodie’s Place.
Sanitary items are a right, not a privilege
- Samantha Tama, Share the Dignity national operations manager
“These services run on little-to-no funding and women who finally have the strength to flee domestic violence often leave with nothing,” Ms Tama said.
“Imagine suddenly finding yourself homeless with no money to your name and getting your period?
“Despite being classed a medical item they still attract a luxury tax, which is what makes sanitary items so expensive. Crazy when you think about it!”
Weston Community Preschool director Wendy Comyns was keen to get on board and support the local community and help start the conversation about homelessness and domestic violence, which is the leading cause of homelessness in women and children.
The items collected this April will support Jodie’s Place and Cessnock-based homeless service Soupz On.
Sanitary items including pads, maternity pads, incontinence pads, new reusable pads, tampons, period-proof underwear and menstrual cups can be dropped off at Weston Community Preschool in Scott Street, Joblink Plus Cessnock and Kurri Kurri and Australian Hearing Cessnock (198-202 Vincent Street) throughout the month of April.
