City-run period product program off to a strong start, advocates say, despite some slow use
The initial pilot program wasn't as well-used as the city had hoped
A group of student advocates for free period products say a city of Windsor program is making a difference — even though uptake wasn't as strong as city staff hoped in its first year.
According to a staff report, the city has provided free tampons, pads and disposal bags in seven city washroom facilities free of charge for about 18 months.
"Overall the usage rates were lower than expected," staff wrote in their report, which is expected to go to a city committee next week.
But students involved in combating period poverty in Windsor took a look at the numbers, and think the city, and the program, is off to a great start.
"I will say just looking at like some of these numbers honestly — even though some of them are more disappointing — looking at 400 City Hall Square, they went through like nearly 3,000 products during their time frame," said Kiana Mokrian, one of the founders of GirlUp at the University of Windsor.
According to the staff report, 2,682 pads and 4,000 tampons were taken and 10,818 and 15 500 of each remain in the city's inventory as of October 2023. The initial program ran from May 2022 to October 2023, and cost about $15,500 for supplies and installation.
Usage varied across the city, but the dispensers at 400 City Hall Square and the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre were among the most well-used. Other locations with lower usage include the WFCU Centre, Windsor Water World, Capri Pizzeria Recreation complex, the Gino and Liz Marcus centre and the city hall building at 350 City Hall Square.
Products were available in all the washrooms, as well as in one case, the front desk.
James Chacko, the city's director of parks and recreation — which oversees facilities — said that while there was some damage to the dispensers and some misuse of the products, it's in line with the other vandalism the city experiences in washrooms.
"We certainly picked and council direct us to six locations that we felt are our busiest by volume and attendance," he said.
"So that may be something that is part of of the the follow up once we exhaust the product and get further direction from council might be to look at expanding to other locations," Chacko said.
Chacko said there are signs pointing people to the free supplies.
The organizers with Girl Up say they hadn't heard of the city's program, so part of the problem could be simple awareness. But, they also say, each product used is a success.
"I definitely think it's on the right track," Mokrian said. "In the beginning our [goal] was even one — like even if one person [benefits], that's amazing because I can't imagine not having a product when you're needing one.
"So seeing these numbers, honestly I think... it's a great start."
GirlUp looks to combat period poverty
GirlUp provides free period products at location across the city, and also run a mentorship program for high school girls.
Having worked to give away thousands and thousands of period products over the last several years, organizers offered a couple tips on how to make sure as many people benefit as possible.
"A lot of ours [are] locations like public libraries and in a lot of the cases our pantries are set up really close to the door," said Kayah St. Germain, another one of the club's founders. "People don't have to go in and be searching around. It's right at the door. You can go in and grab anything that you need and you can leave."
GirlUp also has an outdoor pantry at Wolf and Rebel that they say is incredibly well-used — thought it was briefly stolen before being replaced.
While it may seem counterintuitive, organizers said putting the period products in places other than washrooms would help with usage and accessibility, especially for non-binary and trans people.
"If they don't know that they're in the bathroom in the first place, they're not going to wait that last minute or rely on them being there," said Isabelle Dibbs.
And, GirlUp has had success with pre-packing their products into bundles.
"I think people may feel wary about taking a bunch if they're just individual," Mokrian said. "I would say if you bundle them, people can take enough for a whole week or however long they need it for, rather than feeling like they can only take one or two."
With files from Meg Roberts