Fighting Period Poverty

Cygnett WNBL has launched its second annual Fighting Period Poverty Round, a dedicated initiative aimed at addressing period poverty in Australia. Fighting Period Poverty Round was officially inaugurated in Melbourne on Thursday, January 18, with players, partners, and officials joining forces to pack toiletry bags for distribution by charity partner Share the Dignity.

The Cygnett WNBL’s second annual Fighting Period Poverty Round runs 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 distributed to women in need by charity partner Share the Dignity.

As a women’s league, we wanted to get behind this important cause and support our fellow Australian women and girls. We believe access to period products is a right, not a privilege, and that no person should ever go without these essentials.

Key Highlights of the Fighting Period Poverty Round:

  • Awareness and Fundraising: WNBL players will wear themed t-shirts and ‘Bloody Good Socks’ during pre-game warm-ups, with proceeds from their sale directed to Share the Dignity.
  • Community Involvement: Fans are encouraged to contribute by bringing sanitary items to collection bins at game venues nationwide, sharing social content, or purchasing the ‘Bloody Good Socks.’
  • Dignity Vending Machine: The league will announce the installation of South Australia’s first dignity vending machine on Tuesday, January 23. Funds for this initiative were raised during the inaugural Fighting Period Poverty Round last season, providing free access to sanitary products for women in need.

A recent ‘Big Bloody Survey’ highlighted that one in five females in Australia resorts to using unsuitable alternatives due to the unaffordability of sanitary products. To support this cause, BOODY has initiated a ‘Buy 1, Gift 1’ program until January 31. For every pair of Period and Leak-proof underwear purchased on boody.com.au, BOODY will donate a pair to Share the Dignity.

League Naming Rights Partner Cygnett is contributing to the cause by donating $1 from every product sold on their website until January 31, demonstrating their commitment to Share the Dignity.

 

How You Can Contribute:

  • Purchase ‘Bloody Good Socks‘ from Share the Dignity.
  • Buy period underwear product from Boody.
  • Buy products from Cygnett‘s online store.
  • Bring sanitary items to WNBL game venues during the Fighting Period Poverty Round.
  • Share Fighting Period Poverty Round social content.

What is Period Poverty?

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand-washing facilities and waste management.

It is an issue that greatly affects the unemployed, university and TAFE students, homeless people, those displaced due to domestic violence and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Period poverty is more common than we think and has long-lasting impacts on the lives of women, girls and those who menstruate.

Here are some alarming statistics about period poverty in Australia*:

  • 1 in 5 Australian menstruators are forced to improvise on period products
  • 40% of Australian menstruators have had to change to a less suitable period product due to the cost
  • 49% have worn a tampon or pad for more than 4 hours because they didn’t have enough to get by
  • 48% have missed education classes due to their periods
  • 65% have missed sports because of their periods

*Statistics sourced from ‘The Bloody Big Survey’ 2021

SHARE THE DIGNITY Founded in 2015, Share the Dignity works to make a real, on-the-ground difference in the lives of women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough. They distribute sanitary items to those in need and work to end period poverty here in Australia. When a woman is doing it tough, the last thing on her mind should be dealing with her period.