Post by max23 on Dec 26, 2016 0:43:15 GMT -5
Pink Box to deliver free feminine hygiene products for homeless women
Vending machines that spit out free boxes of tampons will be installed across Queensland as part of a new project.
Queensland charity Share the Dignity will install 10 of the "Pink Box" vending machines in locations such as the 139 Club in Fortitude Valley, the Southport domestic violence court, the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg and Townsville.
Launching the pilot site at Bracken Ridge McDonald's on Friday, Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtney described it as an Australian-first to help women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.
"We will ensure that every woman who is experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence will have one less thing to worry about - and that will be experiencing her period without having the basic necessities," Ms Courtney said.
"It's a basic human right to have basic sanitary items. Unfortunately we have heard lots of stories of women having to use wadded-up toilet paper and even newspaper to deal with their period. That's just not OK."
Each pack contains two pads and four tampons.
Ms Courtney played down suggestions thieves could target the free tampon vending machines.
"It has a 10-minute timer on it, so it will only dispense every 10 minutes," she said.
"So if a woman is really in need and she wants to wait in the bathroom for an hour and get six packs, then she really probably needs it."
The 1800 RESPECT phone number will be printed inside the dignity packs, to provide a discrete way to assist women experiencing domestic violence.
"Women who are experiencing domestic and family violence face extra risks when they decide to seek help, so reaching out to women to share information can be difficult," Ms Courtney said.
"Over the holiday season, we often see an escalation in domestic and family violence, so it's really important that we get that message out to women."
The project will be boosted by $60,000 in state government funding through the Dignity First Fund.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/pink-box-to-deliver-free-feminine-hygiene-products-for-homeless-women-20161223-gthgso.html
Vending machines that spit out free boxes of tampons will be installed across Queensland as part of a new project.
Queensland charity Share the Dignity will install 10 of the "Pink Box" vending machines in locations such as the 139 Club in Fortitude Valley, the Southport domestic violence court, the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg and Townsville.
Launching the pilot site at Bracken Ridge McDonald's on Friday, Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtney described it as an Australian-first to help women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.
"We will ensure that every woman who is experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence will have one less thing to worry about - and that will be experiencing her period without having the basic necessities," Ms Courtney said.
"It's a basic human right to have basic sanitary items. Unfortunately we have heard lots of stories of women having to use wadded-up toilet paper and even newspaper to deal with their period. That's just not OK."
Each pack contains two pads and four tampons.
Ms Courtney played down suggestions thieves could target the free tampon vending machines.
"It has a 10-minute timer on it, so it will only dispense every 10 minutes," she said.
"So if a woman is really in need and she wants to wait in the bathroom for an hour and get six packs, then she really probably needs it."
The 1800 RESPECT phone number will be printed inside the dignity packs, to provide a discrete way to assist women experiencing domestic violence.
"Women who are experiencing domestic and family violence face extra risks when they decide to seek help, so reaching out to women to share information can be difficult," Ms Courtney said.
"Over the holiday season, we often see an escalation in domestic and family violence, so it's really important that we get that message out to women."
The project will be boosted by $60,000 in state government funding through the Dignity First Fund.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/pink-box-to-deliver-free-feminine-hygiene-products-for-homeless-women-20161223-gthgso.html