The federal government is making life more affordable for Canadians by making menstrual products, which are a basic necessity, more accessible to those that need them.
With a total investment of nearly $90 million, the Menstrual Equity Fund pilot project has helped remove financial barriers by providing access to free menstrual products for Canadians who need them most, while also improving education and awareness to reduce stigma.
Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced the impact of the $60 million to extend the Menstrual Equity Fund national pilot project, delivered by Food Banks Canada.The pilot has delivered more than 124 million free menstrual products through Food Banks Canada and the affiliated network of food banks and community organizations across the country, helping Canadians who need them most. Recipients reported missing fewer days of school and work because they had enough menstrual products to manage their menstrual health safely and with dignity.
The investment has also supported education and awareness initiatives to reduce stigma and improve understanding of menstrual health. Six menstrual equity organizations have provided nearly 450 education and awareness resources, reaching 70,000 people across Canada.
The results of this national pilot demonstrate the importance of addressing period poverty as part of broader efforts to make life more affordable, support participation in school, work, and the economy, and to advance gender equality.
Access to basic necessities should not stand in the way of Canadians going to school, going to work, or fully participating in their communities. As families adjust to the back-to-school season and manage household costs, the federal government will continue working to make life more affordable, support healthy, inclusive communities, and build a stronger Canada.
