Province takes up a program that was started in Halton Region by two Burlington students

By Pepper Parr

July 30^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The Ontario government is breaking the stigma around period poverty by making sure schools across Ontario can offer free menstrual products to their students. Today, Todd Smith, Minister of Education, announced a new three-year agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart to expand the province’s Menstrual Equity Initiative and provide more than 23 million free menstrual products to students over the next 3 years.

This program was the result of work done by two students when they pressed the Halton District School Board to have menstrual products in every high school in the city

Olivia Netto and Iman Nemar

Olivia Netto and Iman Nemar met in each other at Nelson High school and came up with the idea of seeing if they could convince the school board to install  menstrual products in high schools.  Burlington City Council loved the idea and put their muscle behind what was called the Pink Project.

The Chamber of Commerce has what it calls the Mayors’ Award.  Mayor Meed Ward decided to recognize Olivia and xxx

Minister Smith said: “We know that when students can’t access or afford menstrual products, it often results in them missing school, work or other activities – but we’re changing that.” “Access to products through Ontario’s Menstrual Equity Initiative is just one more way we are removing barriers for women and girls so they can reach their full potential and realize their dreams.”

In addition to free menstrual pads and tampons, Shoppers Drug Mart will provide 1,380 dispensers in the first year to facilitate the delivery of these critical health products in schools. Along with the 23 million free menstrual products – an increase of 3 million compared to the previous agreement – this represents an in-kind contribution of more than $8 million.

Olivia Netto and Iman Nemar at the Chamber of Commerce Awards night receiving the Mayors’ Award for their Pink Project success.

Free menstrual products will be available to all school boards and school authorities across Ontario, as well as the Consortium Centre Jules-Léger, which will distribute products to individual schools based on their local student needs.

• Between 2021-2024, the first provincial agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart provided 20 million free menstrual pads.
• A 2023 Plan International Canada survey found that 34 per cent of Canadians under 25 who menstruate struggle to afford menstrual products.
• Those who cannot afford menstrual products may experience a higher rate of absenteeism from school, challenges to engage fully in the classroom and negative health effects, such as infections and toxic shock syndrome. Period poverty can also affect their social and emotional well-being.