Supermarket giant vows to end period poverty in Australia

Woolworths is teaming up with a women’s charity to deliver sanitary products to people in need.

The supermarket has used its partnership with Share the Dignity to launch a sanitary product collection drive across Woolworths stores during August.

With 3.2 million Australians currently living below the poverty line, many women and young girls experience “period poverty” on a monthly basis, as they cannot afford necessary sanitary products.

Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, said for every sanitary product people bought this month, they could also buy one for a person in need.

“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them. Many mothers have to choose between buying sanitary items and feeding their children,” Courtenay said.  

“While this is a major problem facing our society it is a topic that not many people want to talk about. I applaud Woolworths for taking leadership in addressing this ‘taboo’ subject and helping the Share the Dignity team in driving greater awareness of this growing issue.”

These sanitary product donations can be dropped off at a Woolworths store and Share the Dignity volunteers will collect and deliver them to local charities to distribute.

As part of the partnership, Woolworths has donated five cents from every pack of sanitary product sold, including pads, tampons, liners and period briefs. 

Woolworths will use the funds to buy 30 new “Pink Box Dignity Vending Machines”, which offer free period packs to people in domestic violence refuges, homelessness hubs and schools.

Woolworths managing director Claire Peters said the company was committed long term to supporting Share the Dignity’s aim to end period poverty in Australia.

“We know that small dignities can make a big difference and we urge our generous customers for their support in offering a small act of kindness this month to give back dignity to Australia’s most vulnerable women,” Peters said.