Period Promise

At any given moment there are 800 million people menstruating on planet Earth. Without periods, none of us would be here. We all come from someone who menstruated.

Menstrual products are essential hygiene. Periods might be tough to talk about, but they are a fact of life.

It is time to stop the shame, stigma and silence.

Period Promise is an advocacy project led by Soroptimist International to promote the inclusion of menstrual supplies in public washrooms. Soroptimist clubs across Western Canada work with local businesses to provide period products in their washrooms.

Period Promise locations include:

Dentists, doctors, libraries, museums, restaurants, fast food places, gas stations, hairdressers, sports arenas, schools, theatres, stores that have public washrooms, municipal and provincial buildings and offices, and more.

What is Period Poverty?

Period poverty is the inability to access menstrual products, largely because of financial limitations. Lack of access disproportionately impacts:

• Youth
• Single mothers
• Indigenous people
• Black and other racialized communities
• Immigrants
• The unhoused
• People with disabilities
• Gender diverse individuals
• Those who live in remote areas

Education Equality

A period should end a sentence, not end an education. Studies have shown that one in seven young women and non-binary people in Canada will miss some school because they don’t have access to pads and tampons.

Menstrual equity means equal access to products free of stigma and safe places to change and use menstrual products: as essential as toilet paper, soap and water for a normal bodily function.

Did You Know?

Approximately 70,000 tampons are needed for women in crisis across Canada every month.

One in six Canadians who menstruate have personally experienced period poverty.

One in five who menstruate say they may not be able to afford period products at some point in the next 12 months.

Menstrual equity requires health education and support from the medical community, as well as open and informed discussions.

Period Promise in your Community

Start a Period Promise project in your community!