Project to end period poverty expands to four more libraries
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on August 29, 2024.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com With the ongoing success of the Shortgrass Library System’s Code Red project, four more sites will be joining the fight to provide accessible menstrual products. The project began its pilot in 2022, providing free products, along with educational information and materials about menstruation and reproductive health, to the libraries, with the support of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta. The goal of the project is simple, to end a phenomenon known as “period poverty,” which remains a significant issue in both the region and Canada at large. “The average menstruator will spend more than $6,000 on products during their lives, while 23% have struggled to afford period products, according to the Period Stigma Report by Plan International Canada in 2018,” said Shortgrass Library Systems. Medicine Hat Public Library, Redcliff Public Library, Bassano Memorial Library, Bow Island Municipal Library, Irvine Community Library and Gem Jubilee Library have previously been a part of the project, with supplies and information available to all visitors. Now four more rural libraries will be included in this expansion, with libraries in Duchess, Foremost, Rosemary and Tilley being added to the roster starting in early September. “The public library is ideally placed to provide free access to supplies,” said Kait McClary, Shortgrass client services librarian. “The public library is a true community hub: everyone is welcome, and there is no expectation to spend money in order to spend time there. We are thrilled that more community members will be able to access these products in their local library.” 9-8
