The City of Kamloops and BC United Way have come together to sign a policy statement committing to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms used by city staff and the public. Top row left to right: Kara Byrne , Sarah Hawkins, Trevor Twemlow, Tymmarah Mackie. Front row left to right: Chelsea Ingram, Colleen Quigley.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/City of Kamloops

The City of Kamloops and BC United Way have come together to sign a policy statement committing to provide free menstrual products in bathrooms used by city staff and the public.

Human resources and safety director for the city, Colleen Quigley met with United Way British Columbia campaign manager Chelsea Ingram to sign the new policy today, May 24, according to a media release from the City of Kamloops.

The city has been offering free menstrual products in select city washroom facilities for four months as part of a pilot study. Now the results of the pilot have been reviewed, including public feedback. Locations where the free products are expanding to include all women’s and gender-neutral washrooms at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre and all city arenas and pools.

“Feedback and participation in our pilot rollout reaffirmed the value of what we set out to do while highlighting the best way to move forward,” Quigley said in the release. “We will be expanding our provision of free menstrual products into facilities that make the most sense based on public input and potential for positive impact.”

Most residents who participated in an anonymous survey felt less stigma, more confident when asking for menstrual products and more ability to join in activities after using the resources during the pilot, the city said.

“Half of everybody who menstruates in BC – women, girls, non-binary people and trans folks – have struggled to buy product at some point in their life,” Ingram said in the release. “Financial pressures because of the lingering impacts of COVID, and rising costs from inflation, have continued to increase vulnerability. When people have access to menstrual products, it improves their health and well-being, gives back dignity, and makes it possible for them to stay engaged in their community.”

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Several cities and institutions in the province, including North Vancouver, Victoria and Thompson Rivers University, have already signed the pledge.

“Through the policy being signed today, the City of Kamloops is taking a small step to help normalize menstruation, reduce the impact of menstrual stigma — a contributing factor to period poverty, and ultimately build a more equitable society,” reads the release.

International Menstrual Hygiene Day is May 28 and began as an advocacy movement to improve menstrual hygiene  management on global, national and local levels. 

Go here for more information on the United Way’s Period Promise campaign.

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