Changing the cycle: Oshawa offers free menstrual product program

In an effort to address period poverty in our community, the City of Oshawa offers free menstrual products at City recreation facilities across Oshawa.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a day to celebrate and reflect on achievements of women, Two-spirit and gender-expansive people. It is also a call to action to combat all forms of gender-based discrimination (including transphobia) and advance gender equity in all areas of life. This year’s theme is “Embrace Equity”.

The City of Oshawa recognizes that in Canada, one in every three people who use menstrual products struggle to pay for this basic need. The unequal financial burden is just one way that period poverty perpetuates gender inequity. Inadequate access to menstrual products also negatively affects the social, economic, psychological and medical wellbeing of people who menstruate and can create barriers to the full participation of people who menstruate in schools, the workplace, and in the community.

To promote and embrace equity, the City offers receptacles dispensing free menstrual products in at least one women’s washroom at the following City recreation facilities:

• Arts Resource Centre
• Camp Samac Pool
• Children’s Arena
• Civic Recreation Complex
• Civic Stadium
• Delpark Homes Centre
• Donevan Recreation Complex
• Harman Park Arena
• Northview Community Centre
• South Oshawa Community Centre

Additionally, free menstrual products are available for people of all genders in all gender-neutral accessible washrooms, which are currently located at Civic Recreation Complex, Delpark Homes Centre and Harman Park Arena.

The City of Oshawa is committed to providing a healthy and safe community with accessible facilities, programs and services for everyone to enjoy. Access to menstrual products is one way to remove barriers that prevent women, girls and gender-diverse people from achieving their full potential.

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