Ensuring Dignity for All: Addressing Period Poverty This Holiday Season

At the core of our mission is human dignity — ensuring that every person has access to the basic necessities needed to live with health, confidence, and self-respect. Embedded within this mission is access to essential hygiene products, including feminine hygiene supplies. Yet, with the rising cost of living, many people in our communities are struggling to afford these basic items — a challenge commonly referred to as period poverty.

What Is Period Poverty?

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and adequate facilities needed to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Financial barriers, stigma, and systemic inequities can all contribute to this issue, which directly impacts physical health, mental well-being, and the ability to participate fully in daily life.

In Canada, period poverty is more widespread than many realize. According to data from the Government of Canada:

• 1 in 6 Canadians who menstruate (approximately 17%) have experienced period poverty, meaning they were unable to afford or access menstrual products when needed.

• This number increases to 1 in 4 (25%) among individuals living in households with annual incomes under $40,000.

• 1 in 5 people who menstruate (20%) report concern that they may not be able to afford menstrual products in the coming year due to ongoing inflation and rising costs.

• Over a lifetime, menstrual products can cost individuals up to $6,000, creating a significant and ongoing financial burden.
  

These barriers often force people to make impossible choices between menstrual products and other essentials such as food, rent, or utilities. In turn, this can lead to missed work, school, or social engagement — further reinforcing cycles of inequality and exclusion.

This Holiday Season: Taking Action

This holiday season, in response to the growing need, we were proud to partner with Brian Wong, MLA for Fall River, and local content creator Dani Craves to launch a community initiative focused on collecting and distributing menstrual hygiene products.

Thanks to this collaborative effort and the generosity of the community, the initiative resulted in a substantial collection of essential items valued at nearly $2,200, which will be distributed to individuals experiencing period poverty in our community.

We believe that no one should have to choose between dignity and basic health needs — especially during a season centred on care, compassion, and solidarity.

How You Can Help

We invite you to join us in this important work. Whether by donating products, making a financial contribution, or volunteering your time, there are many ways to make a meaningful difference.

Together, we can ensure that dignity is upheld — not just during the holidays, but every day. By Josh Canning, Executive Director

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Halifax