Our Project
Period poverty refers to the financial, cultural, social, physical, religious, and political barriers that prevent access to menstrual products and education. This can impact occupational, educational and social opportunities, ultimately jeopardizing a person’s ability to participate fully in society.
Monthly Dignity’s mission is to tackle the causes and consequences of period poverty and work towards menstrual equity in Montreal. We envision a world where menstruation is no longer a barrier to social, educational and professional fulfillment. Our work involves relieving period poverty by distributing free menstrual products to community-based organizations serving people living in precarious situations and reducing stigma surrounding menstruation through education.
Our work relies on the generous support of our community. Donations are used to directly sustain and grow our menstrual equity programming, with the priority of providing menstrual products directly to those who need them the most in Montreal. Donations allow us to provide tampons, pads, and reusable menstrual products to individuals at domestic violence shelters, shelters for people experiencing houselessness, newcomers and refugee claimants, LGBTQ+ youth, among other groups at increased risk of period poverty.
Our work involves three main pillars
Access
Providing free menstrual products to community-based organizations that serve women, girls, and people who menstruate living in precarious situations.
Education
Destigmatizing menstruation and raising awareness about period poverty and menstrual health through educational workshops and materials.
Advocacy
Advocating for equitable access to menstrual products for all to be considered a right rather than a privilege.
Mission Statement
Monthly Dignity strives to tackle the causes and consequences of period poverty and work towards menstrual equity in Montreal.
Vision
We envision a world where menstruation is no longer a barrier to social, educational and professional fulfillment.
Values
Monthly Dignity honours and respects the knowledge people have of their own bodies and communities and exists to empower people. We value:
- Empowerment: self-determination
- Co-creation: responsive to community needs, nothing about us without us, working with community partners
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Community care