BY: KRYSTAL GROVER
Amidst the ever-growing list of civic and social justice issues slowly being brought to light in our world today, one especially prevalent problem remains hidden in the dark; period poverty. Period poverty refers to the inaccessibility of period products, waste management, basic sanitation such as toilets, proper disposals and soap, as well as lack of education regarding menstruation. Period poverty exists across the globe and impacts millions of people every waking minute. Even right here in Canada, 1 in 4 women have to choose between buying period products or buying food - a choice that absolutely no one should have to make.
Period poverty is often accompanied by its silent, but just as a lethal partner, period stigma. Together, these two components create a hostile and dangerous environment for menstruators. This societal issue has dire mental, physical and long-term impacts on all those affected.
Seeing this crisis present right here in the GTA, I, alongside other like-minded students, created The Bloom Red Project.
The Bloom Red Project is a community-based organization working towards diminishing period poverty and stigma across the GTA. By donating period products to shelters and those in need, all while hosting multiple awareness campaigns, we tackle both the stigma and poverty aspect of this atrocious issue. As of right now, The Bloom Red Project has a social media presence catering to more than 1,500 people, donated 300+ products and raised $400 in funds, while being fully non-profit and run by students.
For July, The Bloom Red Project is partnering with Downsview Advocate as well as Toronto City Councillor Anthony Perruzza to host a donation drive for the community of Jane and Finch. From 4:00 - 8:00 pm on July 8th, The Bloom Red Project will be hosting a drive-by period product drop-off at Driftwood Park, located at 44 Tobermory Dr, North York, ON M3N 2R7. We accept pads and tampons, as well as monetary donations in the form of cash. All proceeds made from this event will play a large role in diminishing period poverty and make a dent in our progress as a society.