Calgary raises awareness on period equity on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Posted May 28, 2022 1:31 pm.
Last Updated May 28, 2022 2:16 pm.
Saturday is Menstrual Hygiene Day and the city is reminding Calgarians where they can find free pads and tampons.
They are offered in the bathrooms at city hall, the Alberta Trade Center, Village Square Leisure Centre, the Municipal Building and the Central Library.
The City of Calgary says it is working on getting the products into more locations.
The initiative was made possible in partnership with the Calgary Public Library and Youth Central’s Mayor’s Youth Council.
In honour of #MenstrualHygieneDay, a reminder that you can find free pads & tampons in washrooms at the Municipal Building, The Alberta Trade Centre, Village Square Leisure Centre & @calgarylibrary East Village.
Learn more at https://t.co/cTQ9isYAqQ@YouthCentralYYC
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) May 28, 2022
The city says it’s especially important for young Calgarians to have access to period products in order to promote participation and confidence in the classroom.
The MH Day campaign was first launched in 2014 by WASH United. The group says it reaches more than more than 560 million people around the world with information aimed at educating people about menstruation while busting taboos and stigmas.
MH Day says nearly 500 million women and girls don’t have the means to handle their periods safely, hygienically, and without shame, due in part to lack of access to period products, persisting taboos and stigmas, lack of education about menstruation, and inadequate water sanitation.
Since the launch of MH Day eight years ago, there has been some change on public education and policy in some parts of the world.
In Spain, for example, workers are eligible for sick leave when experiencing severe menstrual pain, a workplace policy already adopted in Korea, Indonesia, and Japan.
Some countries like New Zealand and Scotland offer free period products in schools or designated locations.
Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day everyone! Retweet to show that you’re committed to creating a world where no one is held back just because they menstruate! #WeAreCommitted #MHDAY2022 pic.twitter.com/2geXGZtZBc
— MenstrualHygieneDay (@MHDay28May) May 27, 2022
Every month, 1.8 billion people menstruate.
Gender inequality, stigma, poverty and limited access to toilets and sanitary products lead to unhealthy menstrual hygiene practices.
UNICEF works to help all menstruating persons manage their cycles in a dignified way. #MHDay2022
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) May 28, 2022
–With files from Haley Jarmain
