Province distributing millions of menstrual products to schools, shelters

In an effort to improve access, the Saskatchewan government is distributing millions of menstrual products to schools and emergency shelters for women and girls.

The provincial government said three million products are already on their way — through a partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart’s Shopper’s Foundation for Women’s Health — and Laura Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister for the status of women, said Monday’s announcement is just the beginning of a three-year initiative.

“Building access to menstrual products, particularly to protect those who face financial barriers, will make a big difference for women and girls in Saskatchewan,” Ross said in a statement.

The government said the products will be sent to school divisions for distribution – “with the focus on supporting students who face financial barriers” — as well as 16 emergency shelters for women fleeing from domestic violence.

Suzanne Stubbs, chair of the Prince Albert School Division, said the donation is a generous one that will make a big difference.

“Feminine products are a basic human need for all females and they are expensive,” Stubbs said in a statement.

“This donation not only provides a solution to many women and girls, we know that access to these products can directly impact a student’s ability to engage in their education without the added burden of financial concerns.”

Jo-Anne Dusel, executive director of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan, explained that women sometimes arrive at shelters directly from a crisis situation with “nothing more than the clothes on their back.”

According to Dusel, Monday’s donation will go a long way to improving access to menstrual products for those women.

“They may not have access to funds to purchase needed sanitary products or feel safe to leave the shelter to purchase supplies,” Dusel said.

“This donation will assist shelters in providing these necessary items and help women survivors rebuild their lives with dignity.”