Share the Dignity is seeking donations of feminine hygiene products at nine collection points on the Border this month.

Share the Dignity Border volunteer Rebecca O’Brien said the April Dignity Drive allowed the public to help women experiencing homelessness and poverty.

She said people could donate basic essentials for women and girls in crisis including pads, tampons and personal hygiene products.

“These are all things we take for granted that the underprivileged women of our community go without,” she said.

Ms O’Brien said the Border collection would donate to charities and organisations at the forefront of the homelessness and poverty crisis.

“Yes Unlimited, The Carevan Foundation and St Matthew’s Mothers Union will be among them,” she said.

Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay said through its bi-annual drive the organisation helped to alleviate the undignified situations for thousands of women across the country.

“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them,” she said.

“Many mothers have to choose between buying tampons and feeding their children.

“Girls miss out on school simply because families cannot afford to buy the basics of necessities.

“The drive touches on our need to collect 200,000 packets of pads and tampons for the undignified situations so many women have to endure.

“When they cannot have access to the essential feminine products women become extremely resourceful … by using wadded up newspaper, or toilet paper, or socks. This should not be happening.”

Ms Courtenay said Share the Dignity petitioned the federal government last month to put an end to taxing sanitary products.

She said in less than a month they collected more than 100,000 signatures.

“Feminine hygiene products are not a luxury therefore they should not be taxed,” she said. 

“Women who cannot afford them have no way of pursuing a normal public or private life and are at risk of jeopardising their health.”

The Albury collection points for Share the Dignity include Terry White Chemmart, Walla, Dean Street, Albury, Northend (Coles Shopping Complex, Lavington) and Lavington Square (across from Woolworths); Australian Hearing Services; Asahi Beverages; The Scots School Albury; Muffin Break Albury; and Thurgoona Community Centre.

Thousands of pink collection boxes are located throughout Australia.

For more information visit sharethedignity.com.au.

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