Table of Contents 1 Understanding the New Canadian Legislation Why did the Canadian Government begin to require free access to menstrual products? Benefits for federally regulated employees The Importance of Free Access to Menstrual Products What is menstrual equity in Canada?

Q: Will people take too many tampons? Talk to us about becoming compliant today. Learn More. The new regulations made under the Canada Labour Code Menstrual Products require employers to provide: Free clean and hygienic tampons and menstrual pads in each toilet room Free menstrual products in another location when it is not feasible to provide them in a toilet room A covered container for the disposal of menstrual products in each toilet compartment ALSO READ : The Benefits of Tampon and Sanitary Napkin Dispensers in Public Restrooms Why did the Canadian Government begin to require free access to menstrual products?

See also Why Every Workplace Needs AEDs. See also The Benefits of Tampon and Sanitary Napkin Dispensers in Public Restrooms. See also 5 Ways to Save Costs in the Restroom. Related posts: Free the Tampon Initiative For Freely-accessible Menstrual products Why Period Products Should Be Free?

Period Dignity Survey — High Demand for Free Period Products in Washrooms Infographic: Metal Wall Boxes VS. And, Menstrual Hygiene Experts Want More! Prev Previous Post. Next Post Next. Find out how we can elevate your washroom experience today.

Are You? Existing Customer New Customer. Zip Code. Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin. Guide de la dignité menstruelle au travail Téléchargez votre guide pour fournir des produits menstruels gratuits en conformité avec le Code canadien du travail et le Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité au travail.

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Why Choose Citron Hygiene? Eco-Friendly Products. Superior Hygiene. Reliable Service. Who Can Benefit from Aunt Flow Dispensers? Schools and Universities. Offices and Co-working Spaces.

Gyms and Fitness Centers. Public Facilities. Aunt Flow Products. Aunt Flow Feminine Hygiene Dispensers. Explore the Aunt Flow range of bulk tampoons and period pads disposal options for feminine hygiene products. Aunt Flow. Aunt Flow Stainless Steel. Aunt Flow - FAQ's. How easy is the installation process for Aunt Flow dispensers?

What is the maintenance process for Aunt Flow dispensers? Are Aunt Flow products always available for refill? Can Aunt Flow dispensers accommodate other brands of pads and tampons? Find out how we can elevate your washroom experience today. Are You? Existing Customer New Customer.

Zip Code. Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin. Guide de la dignité menstruelle au travail Téléchargez votre guide pour fournir des produits menstruels gratuits en conformité avec le Code canadien du travail et le Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité au travail.

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“Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more

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Duration Order one for each bathroom (female, gender neutral, and family) · Free-vend, menstrual product dispenser · Mechanical delay to reduce overuse · 2- free tampons and sanitary towels for all. The provision is simple yet products were only provided in the women's bathrooms during the trial: Free hygiene product trial

The availability of Free hygiene product trial Free pet health samples will hyigene a positive impact on Indigenous workers, particularly those Free hygiene product trial work in remote areas outdoor equipment giveaways there prlduct typically less access to menstrual rpoduct. Department Free hygiene product trial Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Garden budgeting tips School Feee Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Monetized benefits will arise due to the reduced expenditure on menstrual products for menstruating employees. In Tamil Nadu, India, school closures in response to the epidemic led to a programme to distribute pads via schools being interrupted [ 15 ]. Aunt Flow period product dispensers are the best solution for schools or other commercial establishments committed to promoting menstrual equity. In addition, Australia, France, Botswana, and South Africa have also begun providing menstrual products in schools. To ensure accurate presentation of the data, transcripts were checked against the FGD recordings and were read several times to derive themes representative of the domains of interest.	The rewards available through this system include soap, higher-quality, branded disposable sanitary pads and tampons, reusable pads and deodorant. These hazards give the employee little to no opportunity to avoid or minimize severe injury or death or occupational disease. ALWAYS use data. Ndlovu E, Bhala E. women aged 15—54 revealed that they have started their period unexpectedly without the supplies they needed. Trains will continue to be affected, following Tuesday's cancellation by VR for safety reasons. Sumpter C, Torondel B.	“Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more	Activists say menstrual products are a basic necessity that shouldn't require a long walk to the school nurse's office, and that providing The City's Menstrual Products Program offers access to free tampons and pads in women's and universal washrooms at Recreation Centres and Arenas Order one for each bathroom (female, gender neutral, and family) · Free-vend, menstrual product dispenser · Mechanical delay to reduce overuse · 2-	Starting today, federally regulated employers are now required to provide pads and tampons to any employee who needs them while on the job Missing 75% of menstruators believe that period products should be offered free EVERYWHERE to ALL menstruators, all the time – Citron Hygiene · See
Uygiene and the cycle of poverty: a hygieene quasi-randomised control trial of sanitary pad and Free car detailing trial samples education hyglene in Uganda. Hygien year, the provincial government ;roduct a three-year deal with Shoppers Drug Mart to supply public and independent kindergarten-to-Grade 12 schools with pads and tampons. The bill went into law in Acknowledgements Sincere thanks to the study community leaders, the health facility in-charges and the study participants. Out of 46 total comments received, 4 comments required redactions, as they were deemed to contain profanity, bigotry, external links, or footnotes. References UNICEF.	Kennedy C, Severe J. AGYW described how the hubs made them feel more comfortable to access MHP, in contrast to the experience of accessing pads from shops. It became difficult for me. Very rarely do they give out environmentally friendly alternatives like period underwear, menstrual discs, menstrual cups, and reusable pads. Since , we've donated over 5 MILLION period products to menstruators in need. Other parties that will be involved in the decision include facilities, operations, and procurement.	“Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more	Order one for each bathroom (female, gender neutral, and family) · Free-vend, menstrual product dispenser · Mechanical delay to reduce overuse · 2- Members of the public have raised concerns to the Labour Program that the absence of menstrual products in the workplace could lead to hygiene The pilot distributed sanitary items to pupils at four educational institutions in the capital. A survey following the conclusion of the	“Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more
Sincere hyggiene to the study community leaders, rtial health facility Budget-friendly meal bundles and the Discounted collectors items participants. You can also search for this outdoor equipment giveaways in PubMed Google Scholar. Hygjene, the method of distributing menstrual products most popular among respondents was dispensers inside the toilet room or toilet compartment stall. Site search Search. This means that, in aggregate, employers in the FRPS will carry relatively more ongoing costs related to the purchase of menstrual products and relatively more upfront costs associated with the purchase of menstrual product dispensers and covered containers.	A female research assistant MG , familiar with the study communities, facilitated the FGDs in a language preferred by the participants at the health facility or a conveniently located place within the community. Sincere thanks to the study community leaders, the health facility in-charges and the study participants. footnote 22 Furthermore, an added challenge is that a private toilet room is required for the individual to take care of their menstrual period when it comes unexpectedly. Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Unrestricted access to menstrual products would better protect the physical and psychological health and safety risks for menstruating employees. With approximately AGYW attending community-based, peer-led hubs offering SRH services between September and January to collect MHP, one option that appears acceptable and accessible is to deliver MHP through community-based hubs. Focus group discussions explored accessibility of offering MHP through hubs.	“Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more	Access to affordable and effective menstrual hygiene products (MHP) is critical to the menstrual health of adolescent girls and young women Starting today, federally regulated employers are now required to provide pads and tampons to any employee who needs them while on the job The University of Winnipeg is the latest campus in the province to make pads and tampons free of charge to students, staff and visitors	The City's Menstrual Products Program offers access to free tampons and pads in women's and universal washrooms at Recreation Centres and Arenas Want a freebie? Choose the U by Kotex® product you'd like & we'll send you a free sample! Access to affordable and effective menstrual hygiene products (MHP) is critical to the menstrual health of adolescent girls and young women

Free hygiene product trial - 75% of menstruators believe that period products should be offered free EVERYWHERE to ALL menstruators, all the time – Citron Hygiene · See “Menstrual products are a basic need for people who menstruate. All barriers to accessing them need to be broken down, and supports at both the United Way's Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in our community so that everyone who menstruates can go to work A list of countries, cities, provinces, and states worldwide where free period products are available in schools, shelters, and more

Why Choose Aunt Flow? Committed to Menstrual Equity. Eco-Friendly Products. Superior Hygiene. Reliable Service. Who Can Benefit from Aunt Flow Dispensers? Schools and Universities. Offices and Co-working Spaces. Gyms and Fitness Centers.

Public Facilities. Aunt Flow Products. Aunt Flow Feminine Hygiene Dispensers. Explore the Aunt Flow range of bulk tampoons and period pads disposal options for feminine hygiene products.

Aunt Flow. Aunt Flow Stainless Steel. Aunt Flow - FAQ's. How easy is the installation process for Aunt Flow dispensers? What is the maintenance process for Aunt Flow dispensers? Are Aunt Flow products always available for refill? Can Aunt Flow dispensers accommodate other brands of pads and tampons?

Find out how we can elevate your washroom experience today. Are You? Existing Customer New Customer. Zip Code. Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin. Guide de la dignité menstruelle au travail Téléchargez votre guide pour fournir des produits menstruels gratuits en conformité avec le Code canadien du travail et le Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité au travail.

Nom Required Prénom Nom. Courriel Required. Free menstrual product compliance guide Download your guide to supplying free menstrual products in compliance with the Canada Labour Code, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Name Required First Last. Email Required.

Get your FREE TRIAL today " Required " indicates required fields. Company Required. The data collection guides were developed by the social science team with input from the broader study team to ensure that the tools would capture these domains.

A female research assistant MG , familiar with the study communities, facilitated the FGDs in a language preferred by the participants at the health facility or a conveniently located place within the community. To ensure accurate presentation of the data, transcripts were checked against the FGD recordings and were read several times to derive themes representative of the domains of interest.

The quantitative analysis includes two outcomes: uptake of service MHP and use of PPC points to redeem a reward MHP, both outcomes were estimated before and after COVIDrelated hub closures. At the time of this study, menstrual cups were a relatively new product option for AGYW in the study communities and only were stocked through the donation.

As such, we describe the number of cups collected, but do not include cups in subsequent analyses. Factors explored for their association with these outcomes included: age, educational attainment and marital status, all reported during enumeration, and, for uptake after closures, whether AGYW attended the hub for a service or reward before COVID related closures and collected service or reward MHP, respectively.

Analyses were restricted to AGYW attending a hub at least once. We described the percentage of these visits where AGYW collected service or reward MHP, respectively.

Using the percentage of service or reward MHP collected per month, we measured the average percentage of visits in the pilot phase Sept 2 — Feb 17 , post-pilot phase Feb 18 to March 31 , and the period after Jun Jan hub closures. By hub, we then compared the average in the period before COVIDrelated closures Sept — Mar to after and the average in the post-pilot phase Feb 18 to March 31 to after, using the paired t-test.

Subsequently, we described uptake of service MHP among all AGYW attending the hubs, and explored individual-level factors associated with uptake of service pads at both time points before and after COVIDrelated closures. Finally, we estimated uptake of reward MHP among all AGYW attending hubs to redeem a reward and explored individual-level factors associated with this outcome at both time points.

For our risk factor analyses, we used logistic regression, with fixed effect to account for clustering by the ten zones. FGDs were audio recorded and field notes were taken during data collection.

The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and field notes written as a summary report. MG read the transcripts to become familiar with the data and identify key emerging issues.

The emerging issues were categorised into themes using matrix tables. Themes were identified from the key topic areas, including: acceptability of hubs for accessing MHP, impact of COVIDrelated closures on access to MHP and experiences of accessing MHP after the re-opening of the hubs.

The University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee — and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine approved the Yathu Yathu study. AYP aged 18 to 24 provided written informed consent before PPC distribution. At almost one-third During these 10, visits, 11, MHP were distributed; the majority being freely-available reusable pads Of the menstrual hygiene cups, Uptake of disposable pads and reusable cups as a service, and of menstrual hygiene products as a reward per visit to the Yathu Yathu hubs, September — January During this period, 32, visits were made to access SRH services Table 1.

Before hub closures, an average of In the two months after the pilot phase, the proportion of visits for a pad increased significantly relative to the pilot phase Overall, AGYW made 14, visits to the hubs to redeem rewards.

Before hubs closures, an average of Between February—March , after implementing the adaptations, there was evidence for increased collection of MHP relative to the pilot phase Among the AGYW attending the hubs, Uptake of disposable pads and reusable cups as a service, and of menstrual hygiene products as a reward by individual adolescent girls and young women aged , at any time during the study period September — January Overall, Prior to COVIDrelated closures, older AGYW aged 18—24 After reopening, there was no change in uptake among adolescents aged 15—17 but uptake was lower among older AGYW Table 2.

In both time periods, AGYW who were married were less likely to access pads. Before hub closures, After reopening, Prior to hub closures, redeeming reward MHP was higher among older AGYW and associated with having completed secondary education or higher After closures, there was no evidence for an association with age or educational attainment.

As with freely-available pads, married AGYW were less likely to redeem reward MHP throughout the study period, and, among AGYW who obtained a reward prior to closures, collecting reward MHP before closures was strongly associated with accessing reward MHP after hubs reopened Table 3.

In FGDs, hubs were considered private spaces, where AGYW could be free and open, with products offered alongside instructions on use. AGYW described how the hubs made them feel more comfortable to access MHP, in contrast to the experience of accessing pads from shops.

I would feel ashamed because maybe they are thinking that I am on my periods. But in a shop, it was difficult for me. AGYW recounted how, in the absence of money, they would use pieces of cloth and cotton during menstruation.

As such, hub closures in response to COVID negatively affected AGYW, particularly adolescents aged 15— During closures, AGYW resorted to using the materials used prior to the availability of free pads through Yathu Yathu. When you think, that Yathu Yathu has been closed, what will I do?

It became difficult for me. The thought of having to revert back to alternative materials was stressful, as they can cause burning, smelling, itching and, for some, fear of staining left them socially isolated.

Once hubs reopened, AGYW continued to access services; however, fears that the hubs would close again led to some AGYW choosing to hoard pads. Our analysis shows that there is a need for improved access to MHP for AGYW.

With approximately AGYW attending community-based, peer-led hubs offering SRH services between September and January to collect MHP, one option that appears acceptable and accessible is to deliver MHP through community-based hubs.

Despite removing points redeemable for collection of free disposable pads, the number and percentage of AGYW accessing pads as a service increased with time.

With changes to the points required to redeem reward MHP and after COVIDrelated closures, the number of AGYW attending the hubs to access rewards increased and almost half used their points to obtain MHP.

Accessing freely-available pads was associated with age and marital status throughout the study period, and accessing MHP as a reward associated with marital status throughout.

Our quantitative analysis shows an increase in access to MHP at the Yathu Yathu hubs over time. These findings reiterate the importance of providing MHP at reduced prices or free of charge [ 14 ].

Since late , period poverty has likely been exacerbated during the COVID pandemic [ 15 ]. In Tamil Nadu, India, school closures in response to the epidemic led to a programme to distribute pads via schools being interrupted [ 15 ].

Our qualitative findings show that AGYW, who became accustomed to accessing MHP at the hubs, struggled to access MHP during hub closures and experienced anxiety at having to revert to alternative, less hygienic products, which have been shown to be associated with urogenital infections in India [ 17 ].

Reducing the cost of MHP is critical to facilitate universal access to a range of MHP, with ongoing supply of free products critical.

Our study suggests that community-based spaces that offer a range of SRH services are acceptable and accessible places for AGYW to access free sanitary pads.

In particular, these spaces are important for adolescents aged 15—17, who likely have less agency and financial autonomy for how and where to access MHP. A qualitative study in rural Uganda reported similar findings, with AGYW unable to access MHP due to financial constraints and lack of availability [ 18 ].

Yathu Yathu provides an opportunity to inform adolescents and young people about menstruation. Limited knowledge of menstruation has implications for broader sexual and reproductive health [ 1 ], while inadequate access to MHP means many AGYW use ineffective and unhygienic products, risking urogenital infections [ 17 , 19 ] and absenteeism from school, and other social and economic activities [ 2 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].

Studies have shown that providing AGYW with access to MHP and education can increase school attendance [ 24 ]. Ensuring water and sanitation facilities in schools, workplaces and other settings are adequate is required to complement programmes delivering MHP, social support, and information [ 1 , 25 ].

Yathu Yathu not only provides an opportunity to inform adolescents and young people about menstruation and menstrual hygiene, but to incentivise attendance to these educational sessions through the PPC system.

By incentivising service access, Yathu Yathu provides an opportunity for AGYW to access a range of MHP, including branded disposable pads, reusable pads, and tampons. Despite increased choice, the majority of AGYW opted to use their points to redeem disposable pads.

A qualitative study in Malawi similarly found a preference for disposable pads among girls aged 10—18 [ 14 ]. Considering the potential benefits of reusable products, at the environmental- and individual-level, and the need to provide AGYW with choice, increased support is needed for AGYW to use such MHP, through more information and exposure to alternative MHP.

Our study is subject to limitations. In the absence of a control, we cannot assess whether Yathu Yathu increased access to MHP. However, as described, the impact of Yathu Yathu on knowledge of HIV status and other outcomes is being evaluated in an ongoing CRT. We only include data from two FGD, among AGYW who accessed MHP at the hubs.

AGYW who did not attend the hubs or access MHP at the hubs may have reported different experiences during hub closures. Despite limitations, this analysis uses data routinely collected by the PPC system during service delivery.

As such, the data provides important insights into the health seeking behaviours of AGYW, and how an incentivised system can support access to essential healthcare products.

More adolescent girls aged 15—17, who likely have less economic independence relative to young women aged 18—24, accessed these products at the hubs, particularly after hub closures.

Ensuring adolescent girls are able to access MHP, particularly during COVID, is of critical importance to safeguard their participation in education and the workplace and ultimately their broader physical and mental well-being. With adolescents more likely to access products and educational attainment not associated with accessing pads as a service, community-based, peer-led spaces may remove some of the economic barriers to accessing MHP; however, schools and other community-based venues may also prove appropriate places to deliver free MHP.

Period poverty remains a global public health issue; increased availability of MHP at low to no cost is essential.

The datasets analysed for the current analysis are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Adolescents and young people aged 18 to 24 provided written informed consent to participate in the study.

For individuals with lower literacy and therefore unable to read or write, a witness could sign the consent form on behalf of the participant.

All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Guidance on Menstrual Health and Hygiene [Internet].

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Menstrual health: a definition for policy, practice, and research. Sex Reprod Heal Matters. Article Google Scholar. Chandra-Mouli V, Patel SV. Mapping the knowledge and understanding of menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries.

Reprod Health. Miiro G, Rutakumwa R, Nakiyingi-Miiro J, Nakuya K, Musoke S, Namakula J, et al. Menstrual health and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Uganda MENISCUS : a feasibility study. BMC Womens Health. Lahme AM, Stern R, Cooper D. Factors impacting on menstrual hygiene and their implications for health promotion.

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Association between unhygienic menstrual management practices and prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections: a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Odisha, India.

BMC Infect Dis. Kennedy C, Severe J. Period poverty in rural Uganda; an exploration of the challenges and the need for intervention. In: 16th World Congress on Public Health. Sumpter C, Torondel B. A systematic review of the health and social effects of menstrual hygiene management.

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BMC Public Health. Ndlovu E, Bhala E. Menstrual hygiene - A salient hazard in rural schools: A case of Masvingo district of Zimbabwe. Jamba Potchefstroom, South Africa. Tembo M, Renju J, Weiss HA, Dauya E, Bandason T, Dziva-Chikwari C, et al.