Free pads, tampons pilot may expand
Council asked to support project distributing items to women in need
Tampons and pads for marginalized women are expected to be back on the city agenda with the newly configured council being asked to reaffirm their support of the expansion of a pilot program designed to get free menstrual supplies into the hands of women in need.
The program is run by Shoppers Drug Mart and provides free pads and tampons in bright red, newspaper box-style dispensers set outside stores that are accessible by a four-digit pin code. The code is distributed to women using the shelter system or accessing additional support services across the city.
An existing boxwas set up outside a Shoppers location at Queen St. E., near Parliament St., in late April. Two new boxes are expected to be set up at Yonge St., near College Ave., and on Queen St. W., near Bathurst St. “We do know that women who are low-income, who are also street-involved or perhaps homeless, are having challenges accessing menstrual hygiene products when they need them,” said Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, whose member’s motion asking council to allow the item back onto Thursday’s agenda was seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy.
Wong-Tam said sites for the second and third boxes were cleared by the previous council and city staff, and this is basically a “tidy-up” motion, or way to formally reaffirm support among the new, smaller council. The city is also being asked to waive any fees or applications associated with installing the boxes outside. Shoppers Drug Mart is, in turn, expected to cover the costs and management of the boxes and absolve the city of any liability.
Lisa Gibbs, director of community investment with the drugstore chain, said each box holds four tampons and two overnight pads. Response to the Queen St. E. box has been “steady,” said Gibbs in an email.
For women and girls living on the margins, buying tampons and pads could mean giving up food or other necessities. Some rig their own supplies, risking health problems by using socks, toilet paper and newspapers, as the Star reported in 2017.
Jessica, a peer harm reduction worker at women’s only dropin Sistering, then explained to the Star that she made tampons from tissue out of necessity during a period of homelessness.
“I figured it out for myself. I had no choice. I have bad periods because I’ve had five kids,” said Jessica, in 2017. The Star agreed not to publish her last name, at her request. “All women have this. Why should women have to pay? This isn’t something that we’re choosing.”
The Yonge St. box would be north of Ryerson University. The Queen St. W. box would be near two well-used drop-in and support centres for people experiencing homelessness or in need of social supports.
The Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis found it would cost about $220,000 per year to provide menstrual supplies to about 2,500 women using emergency shelters and respite sites in Toronto.