The menstrual future we’re creating: On International Women’s Day, and everyday after it.

As a woman-led and founded charity advancing gender equity, International Women’s Day is so important to us. 

It’s an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come and everyone who’s made that progress possible – from our dedicated staff to our donors, supporters and partners. 

It’s also a crucial moment to reconnect with our ‘why.’ To ground ourselves in where we’re at and where we’re headed. 

It’s easy to get disillusioned by the world we have. Today, let’s envision the world we’re creating.

Free menstrual products for all

One day, getting surprised by your period in public will bring no stress. There’ll be free pads and tampons waiting for you in public washrooms, or the washrooms in your office.

Soap and toilet paper have always been in there at no cost – why has it taken so long for menstrual products to get the same treatment?

The degendering of menstruation 

In the future, it’ll be common knowledge that there are lots of women who don’t menstruate and people who menstruate who don’t identify as women. To deny this is to deny an already marginalized group the health, respect and dignity we’re fighting for. 

Our pharmacies & grocery stores will have a section labelled “menstrual products” or “period care,” no longer “feminine hygiene.” Not only does the latter alienate gender-diverse menstruators; it’s also loaded with period stigma – insinuating that periods are ‘unhygienic’ or ‘dirty.’

Deeming periods a “women’s issue” also erases the role and stake that boys and men have in creating menstrual equity. 

Degendering menstruation is the only way to ensure no one gets left behind in the achievement of our mission. 

Accessible period education 

The future we’re creating will see vast improvements in period education under each province and territory’s public curriculum. Gone are the days of separating boys and girls for this lesson. 

Period education will be inclusive, evidence-based, and free from shame. It’ll teach everyone the basics of menstruation and the different ways to manage it. 

The general population will be aware of any remaining period poverty, creating a culture of compassion and community support for menstruators who are still struggling. 

This education will be mainstream and accessible. It’ll be free and adaptable to all ages and identities (just like our own period education program!)

No more period stigma

The next generation will be taught to treat menstruation with the respect and neutrality it deserves. And yes, that includes young boys.

The days of hiding a tampon up your sleeve will end because everyone will know there’s nothing embarrassing about it. 

No more lazy jokes about ‘that time of the month.’ No more underestimating a person on their period. No more reducing someone’s bad mood to their cycle. 

No one will be afraid to ask for a day off work due to period pain — at least not any more than they would be for any other ailment. 

Boys and men will understand how cool it is to be an ally to people with periods. Thoughtful partners who take extra good care of you while you’re menstruating will no longer be luxuries; they’ll be the norm. 

Sustainability AND Agency

Reusable products — like cups, cloth pads, discs, and period panties — will become increasingly accessible. They’ll be subsidized to incentivize waste-reduction, making them more affordable. Kids and teens will be taught about what they are, why they’re great, and how to use them in public schools.

But, no one will ever be forced to use a product they’re uncomfortable with, or shamed for using disposable products — especially if they don’t have the money or the washing facilities to use reusable ones.

Be the change you want to see: Take action with us for IWD!

If you want to exist in this equitable, ideal, and possible world as much as we do, take action for International Women’s Day by…

• Providing your insights to help us design our state-of-the-art advocacy toolkit! All we need is 5-10 minutes of your time to fill out a quick survey.

• Join The Collective! By contributing the cost of two fancy lattes per month, you’ll provide menstruators in need with the means to have a healthy period. 

Happy International Women’s Day!