WNBL TAKE A STANCE AGAINST PERIOD POVERTY IN AUSTRALIA

The Cygnett WNBL’s second annual Fighting Period Poverty Round was launched in Melbourne (Thursday January 18) with players, partners and officials coming together to pack toiletry bags that will be distributed to women in need by charity partner Share the Dignity.

The initiative, which runs through Round 13 from January 24 to January 31, will see the league and its partners, including BOODY and Cygnett, team up to raise awareness and funds for Australian women and girls who go without period products.

Throughout Fighting Period Poverty Round, WNBL players will wear themed t-shirts in their pre-game warm-ups as well as sport ‘Bloody Good Socks’, with both items available for purchase, all funds raised going to Share the Dignity.

There’s plenty of ways for the basketball community to get involved and support the cause, including bringing sanitary items to place in collection bins at game venues around the country, sharing social content, or buying a pair of Bloody Good Socks.

Further, on Tuesday 23 January, the league will announce the installation of the first dignity vending machine in South Australia, which has been facilitated from money raised from the inaugural Fighting Period Poverty Round last season. The vending machine will help women in need to access sanitary products free of charge.

A 2021, ‘Big Bloody Survey’ of 125,000 Australians revealed that one in five females used toilet paper, socks of or other unsuitable alternatives because they couldn’t afford sanitary products.

In line with this campaign, Boody is running a ‘Buy 1, Gift 1’ initiative. Until January 31st, for every pair of Period and Leak-proof underwear purchased on boody.com.au, Boody will donate a pair to Share the Dignity, providing period care for women in need. The league partner has committed to donating at least 1,000 pairs of their Period and Leak-proof underwear styles, crafted in organically grown bamboo viscose.

Ruth Haffenden, Boody’s Global Head of Brand and Marketing, explains.

“We’re proud to be involved in the WNBL Fighting Period Poverty round, highlighting an issue that affects 20% of menstruating individuals in Australia. Initiatives like this show the real difference we can make together, and we’re honoured to collaborate with WNBL, Share the Dignity, Cygnett, and the exceptional players to drive awareness and provide support to those in need.”

Head of WNBL, Christy Collier-Hill, encourages all WNBL fans to help make a difference during the round.

“The WNBL is the only professional league in Australia that has a round aimed at Fighting Period Poverty. As a women’s league, it’s important we support issues that affect women and girls, and we’re really proud to be working with Share the Dignity, with support from Boody and Cygnett, to positively impact period poverty in Australia.

As well as raising awareness of the issue, we will have collection bins at every game during the round, and we encourage all our fans to bring sanitary products to the games to donate to this wonderful cause. If you can’t make it to a game, grab a pair of Bloody Good Socks, or buy period undies from Boody – both will help make an impact for women and girls in need” said Collier-Hill.

League Naming Rights Partner Cygnett is also on board donating $1 from every product sold on their website until January 31. Partnerships Manager, Grace Carroll, noted the ongoing commitment from Cygnett to the cause.

“Cygnett is really proud to have formed a strong, long-term partnership with Share the Dignitiy over the last few years. Their mission to end period poverty in Australia is one that we at Cygnett deeply align with and are committed to supporting.

We’re therefore please to be donating $1 from every product sold on our website until January 31. As a brand, we’re committed to finding new ways to support Share the Dignity and are continuing to aid them on their mission of eradicating period poverty.”

Share the Dignity Founder, Rochelle Courtney, recognised the reach and influence the round could have.

“I am thrilled Share the Dignity is partnering with the WNBL for the Fighting Period Poverty Round. It is incredible to see elite-level athletes shining a spotlight on period poverty and helping normalise conversations around periods.

We are so grateful they share our passion to fight period poverty and we cannot wait to see what we can achieve through this dedicated round.

I want to ensure every single person in the country knows period poverty exists here in Australia and with the support of all in the WNBL, I am certain we can get there. When we work together we are so much stronger.”

Purchase your Bloody Good Socks from Share the Dignity, or buy period underwear from Boody.

For more information on Fighting Period Poverty round head here

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