Groundbreaking local report suggests 1 in 4 people struggle with periodproduct affordability

New research from Waterloo based group, Changing the Flow, is shining a first light on thecurrent state of periodequity in Waterloo Region.

The report Menstruation in Waterloo Region: InsightInto Experiences, Attitudes, and Advancements surveyed 238 people who live or work inWaterloo region and foundthat 26 per cent of those surveyed indicated they have struggled at some pointto afford period products.

The report also found that95 per cent of respondents saidthey've had to use a substitute in place of a periodproduct because they were not alwaysable to access them.

"Layering that on the fact that this was a volunteer survey that under-represents the lower end of the financial spectrum, that's quite a striking number to think of: one in four in 2021," Kevin Hiebert, co-founder of Changing the Flow told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

The group conducted the survey in December 2020 through an online form.

Because the survey was conducted only online,co-founder Kate Elliott said people who are incarcerated,experiencing homelessness orliving in low incomeare underrepresented in the data.

"The reality is that [the] one in four people statistic is likely much higher if we're really representing Waterloo region," she toldThe Morning EditionFriday.

"This participant pollis heavily biased to people who have access to the internetor a computer or phone. That's how we collected the data."

Hiebert said they hope to do more research on those other groups in the future.

More access to free period products

Hiebert and Elliott said goal of the report was tobetterunderstand communityawareness and attitudes towardmenstruation, as well as createsteps for the region, businessesand other organizationsto take action.

"There are advocates and people willing to have these conversations, but [menstruation] is stillvery stigmatised and taboo and silenced," Elliott said.

Almost all respondents, 96 per cent,said they have gotten their period in public spaces when unprepared and88 per cent say they've had a similar experienceat work. The majority of respondentssaid better access to period products is needed locallyin schools, post secondary institutions, workplaces and in public spaces.

In late 2019, the City of Kitchener launched a six-month pilot project that offers free period product at somecity facilities.

However, a spokesperson for the city saidbecause the pandemic triggeredfacility closures, city hall is the only place withinthe pilot scope that's currently offering free period products.

The Kitchener Public Library and the Waterloo Region District School Board have also offered free period products.

Elliott said she hopes the report adds to the growing conversation around period poverty and equity in Waterloo region.

"Every day we're finding new people who are ready for that and people who are recognizing that periods aren't something to be ashamed of. They are natural. They are normal."

"The fact that we stigmatize it so heavily is causing real issues in the region for people who can't afford [period products]."