Period Power: Canada’s Movement to End Menstrual Inequity
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Period Power: Canada’s Movement to End Menstrual Inequity
In Canada, a quiet revolution is happening—and it centers on something half the population experiences monthly: menstruation. For decades, menstrual health was a hushed topic, rarely addressed openly in policy or public discourse. But in recent years, awareness days like Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28) have sparked national conversations around access, education, and equity.
Period poverty—the lack of access to menstrual products due to financial hardship—affects countless Canadians. A study by Plan International Canada found that 1 in 3 women under 25 has struggled to afford menstrual products. Beyond discomfort, this can lead to missed school and work, reduced self-esteem, and avoidable health risks.
Recognizing this, various provincial governments have begun supplying free menstrual products in schools, and the federal government has mandated free access in federally regulated workplaces. Organizations such as The Period Purse and Moon Time Sisters are leading education and donation efforts, reaching remote and underserved communities with vital support.
But equity goes beyond access. True menstrual health means empowering people with education, safe spaces for dialogue, and policies that treat menstruation as a health priority. Canada is moving forward, but to fully break the stigma, we need sustained investment, diverse voices, and inclusive solutions for everyone who menstruates.
References
Plan International Canada. (2018). Period Stigma and Poverty.
https://plancanada.ca/period-stigma-and-poverty
Government of Canada. (2021). Menstrual products in federally regulated workplaces.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/menstrual-products.html
The Period Purse.
https://www.theperiodpurse.com
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