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Menstrual products in schools are getting a focus from the Ontario government.
This week, it was announced that a new three-year agreement was reached with Shoppers Drug Mart to expand the province’s Menstrual Equity Initiative and provide more than 23 million free menstrual products to students over the next three years. The goal is to break the stigma around period poverty by making sure schools across Ontario can offer free menstrual products to their students.
“We know that when students can’t access or afford menstrual products, it often results in them missing school, work or other activities – but we’re changing that,” says Todd Smith, Minister of Education. “Access to products through Ontario’s Menstrual Equity Initiative is just one more way we are removing barriers for women and girls so they can reach their full potential and realize their dreams.”
In addition to free menstrual pads and tampons, Shoppers Drug Mart will provide 1,380 dispensers in the first year to facilitate the delivery of these critical health products in schools. Along with the 23 million free menstrual products – an increase of 3 million compared to the previous agreement – this represents an in-kind contribution of more than $8 million.
Free menstrual products will be available to all school boards and school authorities across Ontario, as well as the Consortium Centre Jules-Léger, which will distribute products to individual schools based on their local student needs.
“For too long, inequitable access to menstrual products has held millions back from reaching their full potential – every absent day of school or sick day at work is a missed opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” says Jeff Leger, President of Shoppers Drug Mart. “We’re proud to continue this important partnership with the Ontario government to ensure more students have access to the menstrual products they need and deserve, helping to get more women and girls in school and keeping them in class, where they belong.”
Between 2021-2024, the first provincial agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart provided 20 million free menstrual pads.
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