Menstrual Health Matters. Period.
Menstrual health is often overlooked in impoverished communities due to a very common misconception: ‘it only affects half the population’.
According to Global Citizen – “menstrual health is not just a women’s issue. Globally, 2.3 billion people live without basic sanitation services. Not being able to use these services makes it harder for women and young girls to manage their periods safely and with dignity.“
Here at YW3CA, it is our goal to help families in the Tri-County Area achieve optimal social and emotional health, wellness, and success. For women and girls in our communities that means supplies and services to support their menstrual health.
In late 2018, YW3CA applied for a program with America’s Promise and P&G through their “Like A Girl” campaign to receive free Always© pads for the girls in our organization’s programs. We received a generous donation of pads and additional hygiene products at what seemed like the perfect time – right as the global pandemic began spreading in our community, forcing us to close our doors and provide remote services only.
Our first bulk donation of hygiene products was delivered to The Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Service Center School with help from the school’s principal, Deana Ramsey. We provided over 200 boxes, equaling over 19,000 pads for women and girls in the center.
We are continuing to work with local school districts and food pantries to donate the additional boxes of products. We also plan to make them available for our YWCA families and program participants. Our goal is to provide period products to women and girls so they may feel confident and thrive in this unforeseen difficult time.
“Meeting the hygiene needs of adolescent girls is a fundamental issue of human rights, dignity, and public health,” stated Sanjay Wijesekera, former UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Nationally, YWCA continues to advocate for increased access to health care and reduction of racial health disparities, and we support public policies that would benefit the women, girls and families we serve every day.
YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW is a leader in advocacy for women and girls, works to eliminate racism, and empowers women through quality affordable early childhood education, adult education and workforce development, and a host of programs to support the health and vitality of women, girls, and families.
