United Way seeks local organizations to fight period poverty through Period Promise Policy Agreement

KAMLOOPS — It’s estimated that one in six people who menstruate have experienced period poverty – that’s a term that refers to the inability to afford or even access the proper products, facilities, and information when it comes to menstruation.

That’s one of the main reasons the United Way British Columbia is working to expand on its annual Period Promise Campaign, which runs every year through May.

This year, the campaign brought in more than 24,000 period products. However, UWBC wants to ensure more equitable access to menstrual products through the Period Promise Policy Agreement, which calls on local businesses and organizations to offer free period products.

“This year we actually had Teck Highland Valley Copper sign our agreement, which provides free menstrual products to any of its employees on the job site,” Chelsea Ingram, UWBC’s Campaign Manager for the Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo region says. “That’s huge, as they have 1,400 people who work there. Now there’s going to be products available for anyone that needs it, and that’s going to be ongoing for years to come.”

While the campaign itself runs in May, the need for these products is year-round. Chelsea Ingram suggests contacting your local United Way branch to coordinate donations if you or your organization wants to help.

“You can run a collection campaign at any time of the year,” Ingram says. “We will always accept donations and we can help you find an agency match that you can drop product off at, whatever the case may be to fulfill this need that is so great.”

For more information on the Period Promise Policy Agreement, visit www.uwbc.ca/period-promise.