The Period Place

#BloodyWorldNews: "A magistrate’s court in Western Australia is proceeding with a trial for a woman charged with stealing $10 worth of period products." While State and Territory Governments around Australia have put measures in place to respond to #periodpoverty (providing school kids with pads and tampons at school) and GST has been removed from period products in Australia, pilots, programmes, policies and funding at all levels is still not passing or at adequate levels, forcing people, like this woman, to make a harrowing decision: risk infection by using toilet paper to soak up menstrual blood, have the blood run down her legs, or break a societal contract. #theperiodplace CEO, Danika Revell: “The main bloody problem is that everyone thinks that throwing some pads at high school students suddenly solves period poverty. It’s ridiculous." #NotHappyJan

Last week a gathering of awesomeness met at the New Zealand Food Network to sort donated menstrual products from our amazing strategic partner Kimberly-Clark (U By Kotex), who were also on the tools getting their hands dirty! Alongside were volunteers from charities @littlemorenz and @igotyourbackpack.nz who were able to take product away with them. Littlemore is the leading provider of 285,000 re-purposed baby items per year to 6,000 families with newborns living in poverty, who face serious life challenges every day. This donation means that Littlemore is able to offer vital post-partum menstrual products to new mothers, whilst providing essential baby items to newborn families affected by issues of poverty at the same time. I Got Your Back Pack will use the products in its emergency care packs, which are filled with practical and essential items for women, children, and men in the most critical cases of domestic violence, across refuges nationwide. With over 4,000 backpacks delivered annually, their impact is profound and far-reaching. Our collaboration means more menstruators will have access to the essential items they need during challenging times. A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible! Together, we’re building a more inclusive and supportive community. #ThePeriodPlace #CommunitySupport #Collaboration #TogetherWeCan #KindnessMatters #SupportFamilies #MenstrualEquity

We are inundated with product requests and we really need your help. "You can't eat a tampon" has become an unfortunate soundbite we've had to use recently. For many households across Aotearoa this is the reality as this excellent story from RNZ shows. HOW YOU CAN HELP - please go over to onegoodkiwi.one.nz, click on the Give Now button. Scroll to The Period Place and give us all 5 of your FREE green tokens. It costs you nothing but means we get real cash donated. https://lnkd.in/gc9TjpJ4

World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting good menstrual hygiene practices. These practices include changing pads/tampons every 4-8 hours (or more often for heavier flows), washing the vulva with water every day, wearing cotton underwear that allows the skin to breathe and using menstrual products that are unscented and hypoallergenic. Each month more than 100,000 menstruators in Aotearoa struggle to access the products they need to manage their period. This can cause health problems including: Urinary tract infections: UTIs are infections of the urinary tract that can affect the urethra, bladder and kidneys. Females are at a higher risk of getting UTIs than males as their urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder. Pelvic inflammatory disease: PID is an infection of the reproductive organs such as the uterus, vagina and fallopian tubes. It can cause pain, fever, and infertility. PID can occur if bacteria from the vagina travel to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Yeast infection: It is a fungal infection that causes itching, burning, and irritation in the vulva and vagina. It's more common if you wear pads that aren't breathable. Bacterial vaginosis: This is a change in the normal bacterial flora of the vagina which may cause itching, burning, and unusual odour. It's more common if you don't change pads or tampons often enough.

A typical day in the office of a grassroots charity: trying to achieve menstrual equity in Aotearoa while air drying donated period underwear. We may be a small team, but our hearts are big! If you'd like to support us head over to One Good Kiwi and vote for us with your free digital tokens. One New Zealand gives you the virtual money, you decide where it goes. Click here now https://lnkd.in/grKPBDnQ and tap us your tokens (and tell us how good our CEO looks on the toilet).

We're proud to have signed this letter calling for urgent changes to our stalking laws. Stalking is a significant issue that disproportionately affects women and other vulnerable groups. It creates an environment of fear and intimidation, preventing many from living their lives freely and safely. The current laws in New Zealand are inadequate, leaving too many people without the protection they need.

Have you ever missed work or school due to menstrual health issues? Menstrual health can significantly impact daily life, yet it's a topic that's often overlooked in professional and educational settings. Last week, we discussed the importance of providing period products in the workplace. This week, we want to delve deeper into how menstrual health issues can affect attendance and performance at work or school. A 2023 CIPD survey highlighted that 53% of menstruators have been unable to go into work due to menstruation symptoms. These challenges include abdominal cramps, fatigue, bloating, low mood, and irritability. Despite these prevalent issues, only 12% of organisations offer support for menstrual health. It's time to break the stigma and foster environments where menstruators feel supported and understood. By sharing our experiences and advocating for better workplace policies, we can drive change. We invite you to participate in this week's poll and share your thoughts in the comments. Let's continue the conversation and work towards more inclusive and supportive environments for everyone. #123Period! #MenstrualHealth #InclusiveWorkplaces #BreakingTheStigma

Did you know? According to a 2023 CIPD survey of over 2,000 women, a staggering 69% have experienced a negative impact at work while menstruating. This rises to 81% in those with diagnosed menstrual conditions. Common symptoms that menstruators find challenging to manage at work include: 🩸Cramps: Uterine contractions that make it difficult to focus or perform. 🩸Excessive bleeding: Managing frequent product changes and coping with fatigue due to blood loss can be exhausting. 🩸Fatigue and weakness: Feeling tired and weak can hinder productivity. 🩸Headaches and migraines: Hormonal changes may trigger headaches or migraines, affecting concentration and sensitivity to light and noise. 🩸Gastrointestinal discomfort: Nausea, vomiting, bloating and digestive issues can disrupt work performance. 🩸Sleep disturbances: Insomnia or restless sleep can lead to decreased energy levels and alertness. 🩸Cognitive impairment: Hormonal fluctuations and discomfort from physical symptoms can impair cognitive function, memory and concentration, making it challenging to focus on work tasks. This May, we're urging organisations to prioritise the well-being of menstruators. Let's start by asking menstruators how they could be better supported. Share your thoughts below. #Menstrualhealth #123Period! #Inclusiveworkplaces #EndPeriodStigma #EmployeeWellbeing

As our CEO Danika Revell says in this interview with the New Zealand Herald, period products are often the first thing to drop off the shopping list. "When someone has to choose between food and period products, they're going to choose food. You can't eat a tampon."

Organisations increasingly recognise the importance of creating a work environment where all individuals feel valued, respected and supported. Yet, despite positive advancements in other crucial areas, many consistently overlook the needs of menstruators. A 2023 CIPD survey of over 2,000 women found that 69% have experienced a negative impact at work while menstruating. This rises to 81% in those with a diagnosed menstrual condition. It also showed that: * 79% of menstruators experience symptoms including abdominal cramps, fatigue, bloating, low mood and irritability * 53% have been unable to go into work at some point due to menstruation symptoms * 49% never tell their manager their absence is related to issues with menstrual health * 15% have a menstrual condition such as endometriosis, PCOS, PMDD and fibroids * Only 12% of respondents said their organisation provides support for menstruation and menstrual health. This May, we want to hear about your experiences. Take part in our polls, let us know how supportive your workplace is, and leave a comment about how this has impacted you. #123Period! #MenstrualHealth #Inclusiveworkplaces