Locals Sharing The Dignity For Women In Need
- The Beagle
- Aug 14, 2019
- 3 min read
Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive started on 1 August and this year Woolworths stores across the country are hosting collection points for all sanitary item donations.
Share the Dignity is a national charity that collects and provides thousands of sanitary products - pads, tampons and other personal hygiene items - every year for women and teenage girls experiencing homelessness and poverty. Small dignities make a big difference.
“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them. Many mothers have to choose between buying sanitary items and feeding their children,” said Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity.
Above: Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity “3.2 million Australians are currently living below the poverty line, 52% of those are women and girls. Many of them are experiencing what is referred to as ‘period poverty’ - being unable to afford necessary sanitary products.”
“This is our first national collection drive in partnership with Woolworths. It is so fabulous that Woolworths is supporting this dignity drive in all regional and urban areas” added Rochelle.
Catherine Potter is a local Eurobodalla resident and Share the Dignity volunteer, or as Share the Dignity call them, ‘Sheroes and Heroes’ who is one of many collecting and distributing the donations.
“ We are asking our local communities to help ‘share the dignity’ and that for every sanitary product you buy this month, buy one for a woman or girl in need. Donations can be dropped in the collection box at your local Woolworths supermarket across the Eurobodalla and Bega Shires” said Catherine.
“Wherever you live - from Batemans Bay to Moruya, to Narooma, Bermagui and Bega - you can drop in to Woollies, buy some extra sanitary products, and pop them in our pink collection boxes.”
Above: Kathleen Nirlipta - local Share the Dignity volunteer at Narooma Woolworths
Catherine Potter said “I only started as a volunteer with Share the Dignity this year” .
“When I found out that so many Australian women and girls live with period poverty - that is, they don’t have the money to always buy the sanitary products they need every month - I was horrified. I wanted to help make a difference, to help ‘share the dignity’. I love the fact that Share the Dignity is a hands on, practical charity that has such a real, direct, positive impact on Australian women’s lives” Catherine said.
In encouraging the community to Share the Dignity Rochelle Courtenay said “Sheroes and Heroes’ are the heart and soul of our charity and we would not be able to collect and distribute donations without their support. They are the public face of our charity; it is their passion for helping women in need and the generosity of the community donating that delivers the success of our drives”.
Great news! There is 30% off all pads, tampons and liners at Woolworths from today til next Tuesday. And 5c from every sale is also donated to Share The Dignity.
Share The Dignity collects thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products every YEAR for women and girls experiencing homelessness and poverty. Small dignities make a big difference.
To help out go into Woolies, take advantage of the 30% discount, grab an extra pack for the Dignity Drive and drop a donation into the collection boxes that can be found at Woolworths (head to http://bit.ly/DignityDriveCollectionPoints to find your closest local collection point.)
Guys... you can play your role in helping out someone elses mother, daughter, sister, niece. Go down the aisle and buy something you wouldn't normally buy and get a smile at the checkout because THEY know you care.
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