Empowering new campaign tackles period poverty and taboo

Saturday 09 March 2019

Periods shouldn't be taboo, so it's time to get talking - that's the view of a local charity, who will today be collecting sanitary items for the Women's Refuge and a charity supporting homeless young people.

Kicking off today, Soroptimists International Jersey's 'No More Taboo. Period.' campaign will start a 28-day conversation aiming to destigmatise periods, as well as tackling 'period poverty', lasting until Friday 05 April.

The charity say that they are passionate about changing attitudes towards periods. They aim to change this by providing accurate knowledge in hope of encouraging informed decisions when managing their menstrual cycle.

Pictured: The objectives of the campaign feature on a poster, which has also been translated into Portuguese and Polish.

They're also looking to support those who might otherwise struggle to afford menstrual products - something known as 'period poverty' - so today will be collecting fresh sanitary towels and tampon donations at a stall based next to Hamon's on King Street.

Donated goods will be passed on to Jersey Women’s Refuge and Jersey Association of Youth and Friendship (JAYF), which provides accommodation to young people, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves without a home. They'll also be supporting The Red Box project, which aims to provide free access to period products.

The new campaign will see the charity work alongside eco-friendly period product brand TOTM (Time of the Month). Its founder, St. John Burke said the brand was "delighted" to lend its support.

This is testament to the huge need for free products in schools

Equal access to education shouldn’t rely on the kindness of strangers

We need Govt action, urgently

This #IWD, please support & share the #FreePeriods campaign: https://t.co/Vui5ElX1Ab#IWD2019@AmikaGeorge

— The Red Box Project (@RedBoxProject) March 8, 2019

"Soroptimist International Jersey are delighted to be launching No More Taboo Period and supporting The Red Box Project and other relevant organisations on the Island," Joint Presidents of Soroptimist International Jersey, Catherine Kirby and Christine Spink, explained.

"We want to help and support girls in education and beyond. Our ultimate aim will be to provide sustainable alternatives to women and girls in need but one step at a time, as this is our first year, however, we plan to make this an annual conversation around the time of International Women’s Day."

If your company would like to take part in the effort, red boxes are available to place in offices which will allow staff to donate products. If you are unable to attend the during the hours in King Street you can take part by contacting soroptimistsjersey@gmail.com or redboxproject.jersey@outlook.com.