VICTORIA – New Democrat MLA Rob Fleming says grant funding for a local community organization will help reduce inequality while tackling period poverty – a term which refers to the struggle many low-income people face to afford menstrual products.

“For women and people who menstruate, having reliable access to period products is a must. This grant will help ensure people have access to the products they need, when they need them, regardless of income. It will also help organizations to understand how to best meet the needs of people in our community” said Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake.

In Greater Victoria, the following organization is receiving a grant for a period poverty pilot project:

• Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour, $25,000

Thanks to a provincial grant announced last May, United Way BC has distributed $220,000 to ten pilot projects designed to end period poverty by improving access to free menstrual products. The projects will use different methods and strategies to distribute period products. They’ll also study the underlying causes of period poverty, and identify ways to reduce stigma and shame around menstruation.

The organizations and projects receiving funding were determined by United Way BC, who have been working with the provincial government since 2019 on period poverty initiatives, including the Period Poverty Taskforce.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28106