Woolworths and Share the Dignity set to celebrate one millionth donation milestone with a month of customers rewards
New research highlights the prevalence of period poverty in New South Wales
New research from Australian charity Share the Dignity’s Bloody Big Survey has found that a startling 63 per cent of New South Wales menstruators have found it difficult to buy period products.
Australia-wide this number sits at 64 per cent of menstruators, with New South Wales sitting at number three when compared to the other states and territories (where one = best and eight = worst).
Nationally this number increased significantly for those who identified as a person with a disability (78 per cent), Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders (83 per cent) and gender-diverse individuals who menstruate (83 per cent).
Students are also doing it tough. When compared to 2021, the number of university/TAFE students who had to improvise on period products nationally due to cost, increased from 19 per cent in 2021 to 25 per cent in 2024, highlighting the impact the cost of living is having on students.
Surveying 153,620 people, The Bloody Big Survey is the world’s largest survey and findings on experiences, attitudes and insights on menstruation. It runs every three years to monitor the physical, social and financial impacts of menstruation and to look at period poverty rates across the nation.
In order to support the 7 per cent of New South Wales menstruators who have experienced period poverty in the last 12 months, Share the Dignity is once again partnering with Woolworths to conduct its bi-annual Dignity Drive.
Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive enables people to donate period products and incontinence aids at Woolworths supermarkets and select businesses nationwide to help minimise period poverty.
Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of every period product during August adding to the $2.84 million already donated, which has helped fund an additional 110 Dignity Vending Machines across the country.
Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay expressed deep concern over the Bloody Big Survey findings. “It breaks my heart to see such high rates of period poverty continuing here in Australia,” she says. “No one should have to go without these basic essentials, yet this issue is alarmingly prevalent.”
“I have heard so many stories shared through the survey about people’s experiences with period poverty, with some people having used tea towels, or tote bags to try and manage their period with dignity, which is simply unacceptable in a country like Australia.
“I had hoped to see a significant drop in the effects of period poverty when compared to our last survey in 2021, but it is just as high. This evidence-based data is what we need to keep advocating for change and to show the government needs to act now to ensure basic dignity for Australian menstruators.”
One New South Wales respondent shared their experience with period poverty in the survey: “‘When I was a single mother experiencing domestic violence and struggling financially, I often wore tissue in my knickers as I could not afford period products. It was degrading and humiliating. No one understands unless they have had to choose between milk for breakfast for your child or period products.”
The report, which is informed by data analytics and insights from data science social enterprise WhyHive and written by Dr Jane Connory of Swinburne University of Technology, found stay-at-home parents, unemployed individuals and university/TAFE students were the most likely employment statuses to have experienced period poverty in the last 12 months in New South Wales.
“Since our last Bloody Big Survey in 2021, we have seen every state/territory ensure the provision of period products to high school students”, Courtenay said.
“Being a student is hard enough without the added burden of period poverty. This survey shows that we need to see universities and TAFEs better equipped to ensure our students can manage their period with dignity.”
Courtenay emphasised that these shocking statistics will arm Share the Dignity with the evidence needed to create lasting change in Australia.
“This research highlights that we need change, and we need it now.”
“Our Bloody Big Survey is vital to ensure we have the data to validate every heartbreaking experience we have heard with period poverty since we started nine years ago so we can advocate for change.”
“Period poverty in Australia cannot be ignored, not when it is something that 3 in 5 people with a period have experienced.
“I am now focused on ensuring free and dignified access to period products in University/TAFE campuses, and sporting centres as well as campaigning for local councils to ensure their residents can manage their period with dignity.”
Those wanting to make a tangible impact on those experiencing period poverty can donate unopened period products and incontinence aids to Share the Dignity’s Dignity Drive this August or donate online.
