Addressing poverty, dignity, and menstrual hygiene
Students at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) are hosting their first Period Project, collecting donations of menstrual hygiene products during the week of Feb. 13 to 17.
Aiming to raise awareness and supplies for an often-overlooked need, the Period Project works to reduce the negative physical and psychological impacts on individuals who may have to choose between a meal, bus pass, or place to sleep and menstrual hygiene products.
The initiative is a weeklong competition between the four phases (years) of students, as well as faculty, residents, and interns. Participants are asked to collect products such as tampons, pads, sanitary napkins, and hand sanitizer, and submit them for class points throughout the week. The phase that contributes the greatest number of products is awarded a pizza lunch sponsored by the Omega Tau Sigma (OTS) veterinary fraternity.
Though this is the first time the OVC has hosted the Period Project, co-organizers Sarah Robinson and Tori Mrotz expressed a desire for it to become an annual event.
“In future years, we would like to partner with the Period Project Toronto—they collect and distribute [the donated items] to homeless women in [their city].”
When asked about the motivation behind the project, the organizers attributed videos and articles covering the “homeless period” for motivating them to act.
“Tori proposed this event in early January, [and I] immediately knew I wanted to be involved,” said phase three student Robinson in an email to The Ontarion.
A member of the fraternity, Robinson describes the OTS as a way to expand the involvement of OVC students beyond their usual veterinary medicine activities.
“OTS is all about fostering professional and self-development… [this is] a great way to raise awareness and give back” to the community in different ways, she explains.]
Similarly, the Period Project is not designed to involve only those who can relate to the need for menstrual hygiene products. Robinson and Mrotz define the event as an inclusive attempt to break the period stigma—something that involves talking openly with their male peers. The duo references the fraternity’s No Shave November as another event that targets one demographic, but welcomes the participation of all.
[media-credit name=”Sapphire Liu” align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]
“We hope this event will continue to spark conversation among our peers—menstrual needs aside,” said Robinson.
Despite its relative novelty, the event already received enormous support prior to its official launch. As of Feb. 13, over half of the 10,000-item goal had been reached through both anonymous and retail donations, including 1,200 items courtesy of Kortright Pharmacy. Students have also taken an early start, sharing both coupons and informative articles to simplify access and awareness.
Robinson expresses gratitude for the support received by the Period Project thus far, and hope that this inaugural event is only the first of many.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the support of our chapter and the enthusiasm of OVC to make this all possible.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the Period Project is welcome to donate items between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at the OVC’s Lifetime Learning Centre. The last day for donations is Feb. 17.
Photos by Sapphire Liu.