- Ziggi Murphy
About Bloody Time
Half of the population menstruates. But did you know that one in four people struggle to purchase period supplies due to lack of income? This is called period poverty and chances are we each know someone who has experienced this need – a neighbour, a co-worker, a friend. As Mayor I would like to see Joondalup putting itself on the map as one of the first councils to provide female hygiene products to any woman in need. With strong leadership and advocacy, we could push Local, State and Federal Governments to get on board to put an end to period poverty. There are already a number of charities including #sharethedignity that distribute period products to women in need. I have previously volunteered for the organisation as a team leader, organising collection and pick-ups of donated period goods. More than 3.2 million people in Australia are living in a state of poverty. When you can barely afford to put food on the table, sanitary items are not likely to be high on the list of necessities. This is exacerbated in cases of women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. Under the correct leadership, sanitary goods could be available free in libraries and community buildings, in an appropriate, non-judgemental manner. A simple, ‘I am collecting a package for Edith’ could allow a woman in need to access the necessary sanitary items. And they are necessary. Tampons and pads are not a luxury item even if they are marketed as such. I see the council initially working in conjunction with Coles and Woolworths to follow the model of Morrisons supermarket in the UK where the protocol is to ask for Sandy (see link below). They could supply the city with the products until other levels of Government see the results and get on board. I really believe that Local Government, our very own City of Joondalup, can play an integral part in ending period poverty. Imagine the impact of this initiative with the weight of a city behind it. #endperiodpoverty #periods #menstration
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/25/scotland-first-in-the-world-to-make-sanitary-products-free
https://www.bustle.com/wellness/the-uk-supermarkets-stores-offering-free-period-products
https://endperiodpoverty.com.au/ South Australia
Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash