![Staff of Narooma Wollies with local Share the Dignity supporters. Photo: Supplied.](https://aboutregional.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Dignity1-810x934.jpg)
Staff of Narooma Wollies with local Share the Dignity supporters. Photo: Supplied.
“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them. Many mothers have to choose between buying sanitary items and feeding their children,” says Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity.
During August residents of Southern New South Wales are being asked to help women and families doing it tough.
Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive is running now through Woolworths supermarkets across the country. Share the Dignity is a national charity that collects and provides thousands of sanitary products – pads, tampons and other personal hygiene items – every year for women and teenage girls experiencing homelessness and poverty.
“3.2 million Australians are currently living below the poverty line, 52% of those are women and girls. Many of them are experiencing what is referred to as ‘period poverty’ – being unable to afford necessary sanitary products,” Ms Courtenay says.
“This is our first national collection drive in partnership with Woolworths. It is so fabulous that Woolworths is supporting this dignity drive in all regional and urban areas.”
Locally, Eurobodalla resident Catherine Potter is a Share the Dignity volunteer, “we are asking our local communities to help ‘share the dignity’ and that for every sanitary product you buy this month, buy one for a woman or girl in need.”
“Donations can be dropped in the collection box at your local Woolworths supermarket. Wherever you live – you can drop into Woollies, buy some extra sanitary products, and pop them in our pink collection boxes.”
“I only started as a volunteer with Share the Dignity this year.
“When I found out that so many Australian women and girls live with period poverty – that is, they don’t have the money to always buy the sanitary products they need every month – I was horrified.
“I wanted to help make a difference, to help ‘share the dignity’. I love the fact that Share the Dignity is a hands-on, practical charity that has such a real, direct, positive impact on Australian women’s lives.”
Check the Share the Dignity website for more.