A club based in Baulkham Hills is collecting women’s hygiene products to make 100 bags for those experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.
Share the Dignity is an Australian charity including an assortment of hygiene products founded in 2016 by Rochelle Courtenay, which addresses period poverty among homeless women through menstrual product donations.
With 6000 volunteers Australia-wide and 80,000 handbags donated to women, the charity embraces up to its mission statement which is to: “Ensure that everyone is afforded the dignity in life that so many of us take for granted”.
Hills Rotaract Club is partnering with the organisation through thae ‘It’s in the Bag’ initiative, which involves sourcing second-hand bags and filling them with essential products such as soap, pads/tampons, shampoo, and conditioner.
Other items include lotion, facewash wet-wipes, roll-on deodorant, brand-new makeup, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Over 5 million products have been donated to the charities ‘It’s in the Bag’ initiative since its inception, and Hills Rotaract Club is aiming to donate 100 more bags by November.
President of the Hills Rotaract Club, Joel Devlin, has been a passionate member of the club for five years. The Baulkham Hills local is an active member of his community, focusing on advocacy towards the environment and uplifting the homeless community in his other charity work at ‘Shining Light Foundation’. As Coordinator of the club’s ‘It’s in the Bag’, Joel expressed how valuable the experience has been so far.
“Share the Dignity gives an opportunity to support a mission that both my club and I are passionate about including breaking down the stigma around periods. Since doing this project I’ve learnt a lot about how to have that conversation about access to period hygiene”.
Since 2021, Hills Rotaract Club has participated in the initiative most years, donating hundreds of bags to vulnerable women in partnership with other charities such as Care Van and The Women’s Shed at Balcombe Heights Estate. Karenza De Leon who is a dedicated volunteer and previous club President, reflected on her experience coordinating ‘It’s in the Bag’.
“This project is a great opportunity for the Hills Rotaractors as it allows us to work in conjunction with the community around topics that are important to us. I’ve been able to see firsthand how these bags have impacted the lives of women and made a world of difference in uplifting their dignity”.
After collecting products for 100 bags, an intensive packing day will be held in November, before the bags are distributed to collection points across Australia. To reach their goal, Joel encourages the community to add an extra hygiene product to their weekly shop:
“If everyone can just pick up one extra hygiene product from a grocery shop it goes a long way towards our mission”.
Communications Director of the Hills Rotaract initiative, Dani Jaric, is also an active participant in the Homeless Outreach Program ‘Shining Light Foundation’. As the Secretary for the club, Dani reflected upon her experiences and urges others to get involved in eradicating period poverty, which currently affects three in five women across Australia:
“As a woman, I don’t want any person that menstruates to experience period poverty. The essential items in this space should not be considered a luxury, and the ‘It’s in the Bag Initiative’ is a great way to help anyone otherwise going without”.
Rotary Club of Kenthurst and Norwest Sunrise Rotary Club are also volunteering alongside Hills Rotaract and are asking their members for donations. However, Hills Rotaract Club is still seeking additional donations, including any of the hygiene products listed above as well as large hand bags or backpacks in good-condition.
To donate, you can drop off items at Baulkham Hills or Quakers Hill, with location details available by messaging Hills Rotaract Club on Facebook or Instagram. You can also reach them via email at [email protected] or contribute directly towards the 100-bag goal on their website, ‘Hills Rotaract Club Incorporated’.
