We’re thrilled to see the Government of Canada taking meaningful steps to providing marginalized people in Canada with a choice of sustainable disposable as well as reusable pads and period underwear, as well as supporting inclusive education.

What does period poverty actually look like? In order to describe it, we thought about all of the stories that have been shared with our team over the past decades, and came up with a composite profile of a post-secondary student we are calling Sloan (she/they). Before we get into a day in their life, let’s review the basics about period poverty and sustainable menstrual equity.

Access to free birth control allows for greater control and choice over family planning decisions, as a matter of human rights. Given the non-negotiable role that menstrual management also plays as part of the human fertility cycle, many of us are eager to see whether British Columbia’s move is a harbinger for the inclusion of menstrual products as part of a similar plan.

One of the things that I am often asked is how things have changed in the reusable menstrual product space over 30 years, and my answer is that it’s a mix of mostly wonderful things. 

Menstrual equity is the idea that access to free, quality menstrual products, education and a shame-free attitude about periods are essential for full and dignified participation in life for everyone who menstruates. This Giving Tuesday we are hosting a fundraiser in support of The Period Purse, a Toronto-based registered charity that tackles period poverty by ensuring sustainable access to period products for all.

Yvon Chouinard’s recent decision to essentially gift his $3 Billion company’s shares to fight climate change is a seismic move that flies in the face of traditional capitalist business values. At a time in the world where wealth disparity has never been more radical and grossly unfair, Chouinard’s generosity is glaring and unparalleled.

Menstrual products are essential personal hygiene supplies, alongside toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels. Provision of these essential supplies are unquestionably the re sponsibility of the institutions where the bathrooms are located. 

Our question is: If free disposable pads and tampons are now being funded for students, employees and others, why not reusables too? 

This article is based on a conversation between Madeleine Shaw, co-founder of Aisle, and Minhtam Tran, the former Project Leader for Decolonizing Menstrual Health, about their experiences and learnings from designing and leading interviews as part of the Decolonizing Menstrual Health interview series.

Free Periods Canada surveyed post-secondary students across Canada and collected 470 responses and summarized those results in a report, which is now available for download here.

Sierra Holland on why abortion stigma is violence, how there is no one way to support someone having an abortion, and why abortion work must include the continual work of antiracism and abolition.

It’s time for all initiatives of all sizes to prioritize tackling social and environmental issues as their primary raison d’être.