Startling new data has revealed a whopping 61.58 per cent of menstruators in Parramatta have experienced period poverty. Now, a donation drive is hoping to close that gap by delivering period products to those in need.
This month, locals are being encouraged to donate to Australian charity Share the Dignity’s bi-annual Dignity Drive.
It comes after new research from Share the Dignity’s Bloody Big Survey revealed that 63 per cent of NSW menstruators have found it difficult to buy period products.
Australia-wide this number sits at 64 per cent of menstruators, with that number increasing significantly for those who identified as a person with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Share the Dignity Founder and Managing Director Rochelle Courtenay expressed deep concern over the Bloody Big Survey findings.
“It breaks my heart to see such high rates of period poverty continuing here in Australia,” she said.
“No one should have to go without these basic essentials, yet this issue is alarmingly prevalent.
“I have heard so many stories shared through the survey about people’s experiences with period poverty, with some people having used tea towels, or tote bags to try and manage their period with dignity, which is simply unacceptable in a country like Australia.”
Surveying 153,620 people, The Bloody Big Survey is the world’s largest survey and findings on experiences, attitudes and insights on menstruation. It runs every three years to monitor the physical, social and financial impacts of menstruation and to look at period poverty rates across the nation.
In order to support the NSW menstruators who have experienced period poverty in the last 12 months, Share the Dignity is once again partnering with Woolworths to conduct its Dignity Drive.
Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive enables people to donate period products and incontinence aids at Woolworths supermarkets – including in Parramatta – and select businesses nationwide to help minimise period poverty.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Share the Dignity and support another Dignity Drive this month,” Woolworths NSW State Manager Matthew Spiteri said.
“It’s always great to see so many of our Parramatta shoppers get involved with generous donations to help support those in need.
“We might even turn out to be the store that hits the one millionth donation, so thank you to everyone who gets involved.”
Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of every period product during August adding to the $2.84 million already donated, which has helped fund an additional 110 Dignity Vending Machines across the country.
Residents wanting to support people experiencing period poverty can donate unopened period products and incontinence aids to Share the Dignity’s Dignity Drive this August or donate online.
Local Woolworths stores that are accepting donations include Westfield Parramatta, North Parramatta, Rosehill, Merrylands, Wentworthville, Granville, Auburn, Ermington, Greystanes, Newington, Winston Hills, Lidcombe, Toongabbie, Carlingford, Berala, Pemulwuy and Baulkham Hills.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.