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Red Deer launches period promise pilot

The pilot will start in mid-June at three Red Deer facilities
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The City of Red Deer will offer free menstrual products at the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre and City Hall. (File photo by Advocate staff)

The City of Red Deer will have free menstrual products available at three of its facilities by mid-June.

In a press release Friday, the city said they have partnered with United Way Central Alberta to launch a year-long period promise pilot project at the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre and City Hall.

“The City of Red Deer has signed the Period Promise Policy Agreement with the United Way, which signals our commitment to providing stigma-free access to free menstrual products to employees, guests, clients and the general public,” said Sarah Tittemore, Community Services General Manager in the release.

The City has also declared May 28 Menstrual Hygiene Day in Red Deer, in conjunction with Internation Menstrual Hygiene Day.

According to the release, new dispensers will be installed in all washrooms in the pilot facilities over the next few weeks.

The pilot locations were chosen to ensure there is a diversity in the type of users accessing the program as well as varied geographic locations across the city. Users will be invited to complete a short survey to help us evaluate the outcomes of the pilot program.

“We know that over half of people who menstruate have struggled to afford products at some point in their life, and that lack of access can be a barrier to school, work and other activities, said Tittemore.

“Our goal is to ensure that users of our facilities feel comfortable and safe accessing these necessary products.”

United Way Central Alberta CEO Chelsea O’Donoghue added that the organization is thrilled to partner with the city.

“United Way Central Alberta has been tackling period poverty throughout Central Alberta this past year with the Period Promise campaign, as well as school and municipal pilots,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO United Way Central Alberta. “As part of this work, we encourage businesses, unions, and governments of various jurisdictions to commit to providing free and accessible menstrual products for their employees, clients, students, members, and/or the general public. We are so pleased the City of Red Deer is taking a leadership role with us in addressing this important equity and human rights issue by signing the Period Promise to help everyone stay connected to their community.”

For more information about The City’s Period Promise pilot projects, please see visit reddeer.ca/periodpromise.