Share The Dignity Collects Sanitary Items for Women Who Can’t Afford Them FEATURED Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 3, 2017 Scott Elsegood supporting share the dignity sanitary items drive. Terry White Chemmart is one collection point in Nelson Bay. Photo by Marian Sampson SHARE the Dignity’s sanitary drive will run throughout August. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE Share the Dignity was founded in 2015 by Rochelle Courtenay after she discovered that thousands of Australian women cannot access sanitary products when they need them. Homeless women, women in domestic violence shelters and women and girls in dire poverty, have to improvise using paper towels, newspapers, socks, even dried leaves to create makeshift sanitary pads. Port Stephens women are beneficiaries of the sanitary items collected by Share The Dignity. Scott Elsegood of Terry White Chemmart in Nelson Bay told News Of The Area, “This is a really important campaign; it’s a good thing,” he said. Rochelle Courtney was “appalled” and decided that “someone should do something – and that someone is me”. Every item collected is registered, sorted and sent to services that directly support women and girls in need. From a handful of volunteers, there are now over 1000 volunteers throughout Australia, collecting from over 2,000 collection points across the country. Share the Dignity Founder Rochelle Courtenay said, “Access to sanitary items has been declared a human right by the United Nations, yet we know that in Australia there are thousands of women and girls who don’t have access to pads, tampons, menstrual cups or period-proof underwear.” “Machine locations have been carefully considered with installations underway in low socioeconomic areas throughout Australia,” she said. “Placement in schools is a priority as research has shown that pupils are skipping school because they can’t afford or access basic sanitary products.” “Discreet placement of the vending machines will help remove the stigma and embarrassment of having to ask for sanitary products, thereby assisting girls to attend school when menstruating,” she said. Bay drop off points for sanitary items throughout August are Joblink Plus, Terry White Chemmart, Australian Hearing and White Lady funerals. Just head to the website and find your local collection points at https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/collection-points.html. By Marian SAMPSON
