The District of Central Saanich is offering free menstrual products in District facilities and public spaces to remove barriers, promote gender equity and support those in need.
In total 13, women’s, men’s, and universal washrooms across the District now have free menstrual product dispensers, including:
- Municipal Hall
- Centennial Park Fieldhouse
- Central Saanich Cultural Centre
- Verdier Park
- Marigold Park
“No one should ever feel left out or excluded due to something as fundamental as access to necessary menstrual products,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “Fostering a community of inclusion, diversity and accessibility is one of our Council’s priorities, and improving access to menstrual products is progress.”
Central Saanich is also taking part in the United Way’s Period Promise Campaign, underway until May 25, which collects menstrual products and donations at various locations in the region.
How you can help
- Make a donation online at uwsvi.ca/periodpromise
- Drop off your donations to the Central Saanich Municipal Hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road by May 24.
- Drop off your donation (cash or menstrual products) at “Fill the Bus” event on Saturday, May 25, at the Saanich location of Save-on-Foods – 3510 Blanshard Street.
“We’re proud to partner in the Period Promise Campaign and challenge the community to participate in this important campaign,” said Windsor.
Facts from the United Way Period Promise Research Project
- Half of everyone in B.C. who menstruates – women, girls, non-binary people, and trans individuals – have struggled to purchase products for themselves at some time in their life. 26% of respondents indicated they had gone through a period without having menstrual products available to them.
- Not having access to menstrual products is an isolating factor: 18% of respondents indicated that they missed school, 22% work, 29% community events, and 27% social events when they didn’t have access.
About the Period Promise Campaign
Period Promise is a United Way initiative originally started by United Way BC. From 2017 to 2022, the Period Promise Campaign has managed to get more than 1.5 million menstrual products into communities across BC, including Southern Vancouver Island.