Small Dignities Make A Big Difference
Without a doubt, 2020 will be the toughest year many of us will have to face. The hardships are real and although we each have our own families, careers and businesses to think about, now more than ever, it’s important to not forget those in our community who are doing it extra tough.
Domestic violence, homelessness and poverty are not issues most of us contemplate but just take a minute to imagine finding yourself in the situation where you are forced to choose whether to spend your last few dollars on a meal, or on a box of tampons?
That’s the reality facing many women across Australia. In fact, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, (pre-Covid stats showed that) every night more than 116,000 people experience homelessness with 42% of those being women. If you do the math, that’s a lot of people sleeping rough without access to safe, clean menstrual products and in some cases even bathrooms and other basic needs.
“No woman should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating and buying sanitary items... That’s just not o.k” says Francesca Webster, CEO and founder of Believe in Beautiful.
We are all about empowering women to own their own kind of beautiful, that’s why for the last several years, Believe in Beautiful have partnered up with Share The Dignity , a charity whose work directly benefits women in crisis by distributing period products through their August collection drive.
Share The Dignity works to make a real, on the ground difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or generally doing it tough. Since founded, the charity has been able to donate 2.5 million period products to those in need through their March and August Dignity Drives and It’s In The Bag Campaigns by asking the public to donate unopened packs of pads, tampons, period underwear, incontinence pads and menstrual cups.
With COVID-19 forcing their March Dignity Drive to end earlier than planned, Believe in Beautiful is very excited to once again be part of the Share The Dignity August drive. With the fall out of the current pandemic, we predict more and more Aussies will be in need of our help, and we need your generous donations to do so.
Next time you are doing your shopping, keep in mind: One for me, one for her.
When you donate to our Share The Dignity drive, you are donating to a charity that directly supports those in need. You are giving someone experiencing homelessness or financial crisis the essentials, so they don’t need to choose between food and dignity. The idea that people around Australia are using socks or toilet paper instead of period products needs to change and we need your help.
How you can help:
During the month of August, we’ve set up Share The Dignity collection boxes in every Believe in Beautiful clinic across Australia so you can simply drop off your donation when you next visit.
What period products can you donate?
All period products including pads, maternity pads, incontinence pads, new reusable pads, tampons, period-proof underwear and menstrual cups. A variety of period products are collected so that everyone receives their preferred item and can be empowered to take control of her period, their way.
All donations must be brand new, still sealed in their original packaging and must comply with Australian quality standards.
Keep the conversation going:
You can also help by keeping the conversation going and raise awareness by sharing this blog or using the hashtags #BrazilianBeauty #ShareTheDignity #PeriodPower in a social media post.
