Warwick Share the Dignity leader Julie Unwin urgently calls for support amid struggling donations

The community leader says the financial burden of Covid is crippling usual donation numbers but making period poverty more acute than ever for women and girls in need.

A dedicated Warwick volunteer is urgently calling on the community to rally around its vulnerable women, as the impact of Covid leaves them at greater risk of period poverty than ever.

Share the Dignity community leader Julie Unwin launched the August drive at the beginning of the month, where products such as pads, tampons, and period underwear will be collected at communal drop-off points and donated to residents in need.

While the biannual drive usually brings an influx of donations to women battling period poverty, Mrs Unwin said they’d almost dried up under the financial burden of Covid.

Share the Dignity Shero Julie Unwin amassed a huge donation for the handbag drive in December last year. Picture: contributed

“Donations are very, very low this year – I have less than 10 donations at this stage and the drive ends at the end of August,” Mrs Unwin.

“But I know times are tough. I know all the shutdowns are affecting major businesses here who are usually huge supporters of Share the Dignity, and it’s hard.

“So I guess then people could understand that if businesses are impacted, obviously the vulnerable in our community are extremely impacted.”

All donations will go to schools and charities within the Warwick community, and all age groups will be catered to with items such as incontinence pads for older women.

Mrs Unwin said the Share the Dignity drive had successfully made free period products available through a Pink Box at Warwick Hospital and schools across town, with even the smallest donations making a difference.

Share the Dignity installed the Pink Box (above) at a unisex public toilet in Warwick Hospital, giving anyone in need free access to pads and tampons as required. Picture: contributed

“You’d be surprised how many people don’t know this exists in Warwick. That period poverty is real, they’re expensive, and they’re not accessible for all,” she said.

“The main thing is giving dignity to our most vulnerable, to all girls and women, and to remove the stigma around periods.

“I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t something I was so passionate about. I’m a member of this community, I’m a mum, and I’m a teacher so I see first-hand and second-hand not having a period product can do and the detrimental effect it can have.”

Share the Dignity collection points include Woolworths in Rose City Shoppingworld and Bookkeeping Direct located at 73 Rosehill Road.