Period products promised NDP mandates free menstrual products in public buildings

 By LAUREN GARGIULO

The province is supporting a campaign that requires all public buildings, such as Langara College, to provide free menstrual products after passing a resolution this weekend at the NDP convention.

This new requirement is in addition to a grant of $95,000 given to United Way of the Lower Mainland to help low-income individuals access menstrual products.

Kiwassa Neighbourhood House is one of the 12 organizations in the Lower Mainland that was given money from this grant.

The Kiwassa organization said that before they were given the grant, they already had a free tam- pon dispenser set up, but the difference between a dispenser that dispenses one tampon at a time and the option to get a month’s supply at a time makes a huge difference for people experiencing poverty.

“It[the grant] is a huge help and they [menstrual products] are expensive products,” Andrea Thompson, Kiwassa’s director of operations, said. “It can really help with promoting dignity. We have some folks who are living on or near the street who are accessing programs here, and these things are expensive.”

“The cost and availability of menstrual products is a real concern for people experiencing poverty,” Parliamentary secretary Mable Elmore said.

“Tackling period poverty is one way we are trying to make a difference in ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Voice has reached out to Dwayne Doornbosch, the director of facilities at Langara who said he could not respond at this time, as he is still reviewing this update with his team.

The Office for Student Engagement, also known as The Hub, offered products including tampons and pads that students can have for free as part of a customizable “wellness kit” during exam time.

The Hub’s department assistant Jennifer Riley said that menstrual products should be accessible to “all vagina bearing people.”

Currently, Langara has menstrual vending machines that cost 25 cents per tampon. Although the women’s bathrooms have these machines, they aren’t always convenient.

“There’s so many times where I’ll be going to the bathroom and it’ll just come and I won’t have any [money] on me,” Tiffany McKechnie, a Langara student, said. “It’s just an extra level of panic.”

Periodic Timeline

Feb. 2018 NDP passes resolution to make feminine hygiene products in Canada free.

Oct. 2018

Women's Advisory Committee at the City of Vancouver passes motion recommending to council to work on getting free tampons in schools, government service centres and shelters.

Feb. 2019 New Westminster school board votes to supply free tampons in schools.

Mar. 2019 B.C. government reveals that schools are required to supply free tampons and pads by the end the year.

SOURCE: LANGARAVOICE.CA