(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Eliminating Menstrual Poverty

TRU offering free menstrual products starting September

May 11, 2021 | 9:00 AM

KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University (TRU) announced that all washrooms on its Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses will have free menstrual products by September 2021.

TRU said it is the first post-secondary institution in B.C. to make this commitment.

“I feel an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude that people who menstruate can now participate in our campus community without having to hurdle the additional barrier that is menstrual inequity,” TRU Student Union representative Mackenzie Francoeur said. “This is something that can affect students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campus, and I am so happy to see TRU move to freely provide these products in campus facilities.”

By signing the United Way’s Promise campaign, TRU aimed to reduce barriers facing some students. TRU said it is committed to reducing period poverty, de-stigmatizing menstruation, and being dependable to provide products to people. TRU said the Student Union’s Equity Committee was instrumental in making this change.

The estimated cost for TRU to provide free, accessible menstrual products is $1.25 per month, per person who would use them. While costs will vary, TRU said it believes the cost is minimal compared to its value in combating period poverty and make the campus more welcoming.

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