Canterbury University arts students, including Romy Gellen (left) and Charlotte Hawkins. Photo / Canterbury University
Canterbury University arts students, including Romy Gellen (left) and Charlotte Hawkins. Photo / Canterbury University
More than 1000 packs of sanitary products have been donated to two charities in Linwood which support victims of violence and sexual harm.
Canterbury University students are fighting the country's period poverty crisis by donating sanitary products to Te Puna Oranga and Aviva Families, raising $1000 in the process.
Inthe first week of fundraising, the students have collected more than 1000 packs of sanitary products, which have been donated to the Linwood-based charities.
Students Romy Gellen, Serena Cooper, Caitlin Baker, Olivia Dobbs and Charlotte Hawkins have been inspired by their media and social change course project.
A 2019 study showed that "12.5 per cent of students who had had their first period missed out on menstrual items due to cost, and that 7.5 per cent had missed school because they couldn't access menstrual products."
In some lower socio-economic areas, period poverty was as high as 20 per cent, she said.
Course lecturer Dr Maja Zonjić said period poverty is a fact of life for many people in Aotearoa New Zealand and is compounded by the social stigma surrounding menstruation.
"To see my students get inspired by their final group project to tackle this critical issue and start such an important initiative is incredibly humbling," she said.
"I am very proud of them and I hope their actions encourage others to positively contribute to their communities."
