The BC government and the United Way have teamed up to provide free menstrual products to those in need.

Today, the BC government announced a $95,000 grant that will distribute menstrual products to 12 non-profit agencies that work with vulnerable populations.

The free products will be made available to access between July 2019 and July 2020.

Each quarter, data will be collected on the number of products used and how many people accessed them.

The data will be used for the United Way’s Period Promise research project that examines how period poverty (the lack of access to menstrual products due to financial limitations) affects people’s lives and how addressing the problem can benefit communities.

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“Period poverty creates barriers and stigma, and leaves people isolated,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, in a statement.

“The United Way’s project will use the knowledge and experience of local organizations already working closely with vulnerable people. This research will help us better understand how we can create solutions that will make a difference.”

The data and report will then be presented to the provincial government in December 2020.

Always and Tampax will be providing the products at a reduced rate, which will allow the United Way to provide products to more non-profit agencies.

In April, BC announced that menstrual products would be free in all schools in the province.