REGINA – The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) marked Menstrual Health Day by launching a new initiative that involves partnering with Moon Time Sisters to drop off menstrual products at workplaces and public facilities across the province.
The SGEU Women’s Committee members and others will be dropping off individually packaged menstrual products and information about period poverty. A note included in each package encourages members of the public to challenge their workplaces and governments to provide free menstrual products in all bathrooms.
“It’s not acceptable for anyone to make budget sacrifices or miss school, work or be unable to participate in other day-to-day activities because they can’t afford menstrual products,” said SGEU President Tracey Sauer.
“I’m proud that the SGEU Women’s Committee is taking action to help educate SGEU members and the public about this issue.”
The SGEU Women’s Committee’s partnership with Moon Time Sisters in 2023 includes raising funds for the organization and helping collect and distribute menstrual products to those in need. The partnership also calls on all levels of government and other organizations to provide free menstrual products in all public spaces and workplaces.
In early May 2023, the federal government made changes to the Canada Labour Code that will require federally regulated workplaces to provide free menstrual products in the workplace. The provincial government recently announced a partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to provide 12 million menstrual products over the next three years to those in need, however, implementation details are still to come.
“These are good first steps by both the federal and provincial governments, however, they need to continue taking concrete actions and providing leadership to ensure no one who menstruates struggles to access menstrual products,” said SGEU Women’s Committee Chair Tanya Turner. “Menstrual products are essential and should be as accessible as soap and toilet paper in workplaces and public spaces.”
“I’m grateful for the support from SGEU and its Women’s Committee,” said Nicole White, founder of Moon Time Sisters.
“It’s partnerships like these that will help put an end to period poverty and the stigma around menstruation.”
