The local English Catholic school board is making it easier for female students to have access to menstrual products.
The St Clair Catholic District School Board launched its Menstrual Equity Program in the fall of 2019 with feminine hygiene products available for students in the administration and guidance offices.
“Menstrual equity is an issue that faces students both locally and around the world,” says Amy Janssens, Associate Director – Corporate Services & Treasurer. “The Board’s Menstrual Equity Program is designed to erase barriers for students to access products.”
This coming spring, the board will install dispensers for free products in all female and universal/accessible washrooms across the board, with posters placed around schools and in board office locations.
Moving forward, the board will be looking to gather feedback through school wellness committees and student leadership teams through the 22-23 school year.
“Student voice is also an important component to our program,” says Lisa Demers, Superintendent of Education. “We will gather student feedback to ensure that the strategies we put in place are meeting student needs.”
This past fall, the Ministry of Education announced a three-year donation of menstrual products from Shoppers Drug Mart, which will be distributed to all board locations as they arrive.
