Changing the stigma
Prince County women start group to aid in procurement of period products for those who can’t afford them
It’s a dreaded feeling. You’ve started your period and you’re searching your bag for a tampon or pad when you realize you don’t have any. Well, two women from Prince County are hoping to change that and the stigma that surrounds menstruation with the new Facebook group, ‘No questions asked. Period.’ “When we walk into a bathroom we expect soap, paper towel and toilet paper. But why can’t women walk into a bathroom and expect to see tampons or pads available too? For people with periods, products like these are basic hygienic needs,” said Megan Bearisto. Bearisto started the group with her co-worker, Kassidy Arsenault, earlier this summer when the pair made feminine hygiene products available in their workplace’s bathroom. The two work as chefs at Open Eats on Water Street. “Throughout the summer we’d have customers using the bathroom, we would use the bathroom, other building occupants, as well as people walking in off the street to use the facilities. “So, we decided to put out some products for people with periods in case they find themselves in an emergency,” Bearisto explained. They were quickly surprised by how soon they needed to restock the bathroom’s supply.
“We would clean the bathroom every morning, and every morning we would have to put more products out. Finally, we decided to do some research and we learned that about one in three women can’t afford menstrual products.” Arsenault says it was a very eyeopening statistic. “It was a factor into why we wanted to start this group. No woman should have to feel embarrassed to buy one or ask for one. And they shouldn’t have to end up balling up toilet paper for a makeshift pad,” she said. Enter ‘No questions asked. Period.’ “Within minutes of its launch we were receiving messages asking for support, products as well as how people could donate or help us with the initiative.” The pair were floored by the outpouring. “What we thought was going to spread slowly went like wild fire. It’s been great to see a lot of women support women and people with periods forming this community,” Arsenault said. Anonymity and discretion are stressed when people ask for products or support. “That’s where the name comes from. They can ask us for help and we can try to give it, no questions asked,” explained Bearisto. Right now, the pair has been stockpiling products in order to have the resources when people ask for them. “We’ve got pads, tampons, liners and menstrual cups. As long as the individual product’s packaging isn’t opened, we’ll take them. We’ve also been accepting monetary donations as people have heard about the initiative, allowing us to purchase the products too.” The two women hope the page will also spark discussion and act as a forum for people to connect with each other. “It’s all about starting the discussion and eliminating the stigma. We’re also hoping that by changing the way people think about periods it can make business owners, building operators and more realize that every person with a period should be able to walk into a washroom and have products at their disposal,” said Bearisto. She continued, “When people think about the cost of periods they only think of the cost of the product, but in some cases people with periods might have to stay home from pain or may not be able to use ‘x’ product. We want to be able to provide support for them.” Moving forward, they would like to see feminine hygiene products available in all facilities including school washrooms. “They’re basic needs. In some cases when a girl has their period and they don’t have a pad or a tampon or something they have to go to a friend. And then if they don’t have a product the person has to go to a teacher or student services and that can be embarrassing,” Arsenault said. Bearisto added, “It was only three years ago that we stopped taxing these products, and that felt like a win at the time. Now it’s time to move the discussion forward.” For more information go to the Facebook page: No Questions asked. Period.