The Manitoba government announced today that they have reached an agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart to provide free menstrual products to schools and other agencies to improve accessibility and reduce period poverty.
The province says that through the agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart, schools, domestic violence shelters, resource centres, and second-stage and specialized programs will receive menstrual products to administer to those most in need.
Families Minister Rochelle Squires, the minister responsible for the status of women, says that the partnership allows them to progress towards destigmatizing the nature of women getting their period by supporting young women and girls when they need it most.
“This significant shift will ensure thousands of students and others most in need will have reliable and consistent access to menstrual products wherever they live in our province,” Squires adds.
According to a news release by the provincial government, as part of this partnership, more than 3.3 million menstrual products will be donated to the initiative each year for three years. The Manitoba government will distribute the products monthly to schools and other identified locations. School divisions and schools will determine where the supplies are most needed.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko adds that providing free menstrual products to students delivers on the government’s commitment to building a fair and equitable public education system, supporting the Student Engagement and Well-Being pillar of Manitoba’s K to 12 Education Action Plan.
