Protea Place help to Share the Dignity across Toowoomba as women battle period poverty

As the cost of living increases, women are forced to choose between food or basic hygiene products as startling statistics show the crippling reality of period poverty across Toowoomba. See how your family is impacted here.

Vulnerable women across Toowoomba are turning to a life of crime to get ahold of tampons and pads in a sign of how desperate the times have become.

As the cost of living increases, more and more women across the Garden City are looking for assistance, with a human rights concern uncovered in the process.

Protea Place CEO Amanda Dalton said through conversation, it has been unveiled more women are experiencing period poverty, with the rising cost of sanitary items unrealistic for many.

“Some women come in and they’re so embarrassed because they haven’t had access to showers or products, and they avoid coming in for assistance,” Ms Dalton said.

Protea Place health and wellbeing officer Gabe Schnitzerling (left) and co-ordinator Susy Wenitong prepare care packages to combat period poverty in the region, Friday, August 12, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s so heartbreaking … this is a natural and normal part of life, and you don't have a choice in it.

“These products are not a choice. A period is not a choice. Being able to give women that bit of dignity is really vital.”

More than one in five Australians are forced to improvise on period products, and almost half have worn products past the recommended times, simply because they did not have enough to get by.

By doing so, they risk their health and could develop the potentially-fatal toxic shock syndrome.

On Thursday the ACT will introduce a bill into parliament that, if passed, would require the government to provide period products to those who need them.
Thank you @HerCanberra for a fantastic article on this legislation. https://t.co/6T82A0pJ5W

— Share the Dignity (@sharingdignity) August 1, 2022

Ms Dalton said enough discussions had been made, and now it was time to act and help women maintain dignity and access basic human-rights products.

“We often hear of women getting caught for stealing, and when you look at what they’ve stolen … they’re poverty related offences where they may steal pads simply to get by,” she said.

“We often come across women who are homeless or experiencing real disadvantage who are having to use rolled up toilet paper and don't have access to showers.

“We don’t need more meetings and talking … we know that essential sanitary and hygiene items should be made available for those that need it. We know how to fix it, we just need to do it.”

Sanitary items can be donated at Share the Dignity boxes across the Garden City.