Huron Perth Period Poverty Task Force Launches Pilot Project

by Bob Montgomery

Huron County Director of Cultural Services Beth Rumble says starting on October 16th the Huron Perth Period Poverty Task Force will launch a pilot project that will see free menstrual products available in libraries throughout Huron and Perth counties. Rumble says the goal is partly to raise awareness but also to provide products to those who need them.

Rumble says providing affordable solutions to help people manage their periods comfortably and hygienically is absolutely necessary and this pilot project will not only fill a gap and ease a financial burden for many families, it also addresses the subject of menstruation head on and without stigma. She says Period Poverty is a term that refers to the lack of access to menstrual products due to cost or other barriers. Rumble adds, research indicates almost two thirds of people who menstruate in Canada have missed work or school because of lack of access to necessary hygiene products and due to stigma surrounding menstruation as those issues are often not discussed.

The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force includes representation from United Way Perth Huron, Huron Women's Shelter, Optimism Place, Perth County Information Network, Huron County Library, the Avon Maitland District School Board and more. More information about the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force and the upcoming pilot project can be found on the End Period Poverty page on Huron County Connects at www.connectedcountyofhuron.ca/period-poverty.