Council Cares
Make a difference by encouraging your local councillor to get involved with Council Cares.
Driving Meaningful Change
For more than a decade, Share the Dignity has been advocating for
systemic change to ensure menstrual equity for all.
Why advocacy is so vital
What is Menstrual Equity?
Menstrual equity goes beyond access to period products.
It’s about ensuring education, breaking down stigma, and creating a future where no one feels shame about their body.
Through our work, we advocate for improved health outcomes for women, girls, and those who menstruate.
What began as a response to an immediate need has evolved into an organisation driving lasting change across Australia.
Advocating for better health outcomes
Facilitating access to period products
Gathering crucial data
Promoting sustainable options
Creating educational resources
Our Advocacy Journey
Milestones in our fight for period equity
2016
We created the world’s first Dignity Vending Machine
Dispensing free period products at the push of a button. This changed the landscape as to what it means to deliver free period products in a dignified way.
Learn more
2018
Indigenous Menstrual Health program created
We started a specific program to ensure better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Since the program’s conception we have continued to listen and learn to help address any barriers to menstrual health equity in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner.
Learn more
2019
Removal of GST on period products
We filed a petition and campaigned for the Government to remove the Goods and Services Tax for period products. More than 104K+ supported the petition and finally on the 1st of January 2019 the GST was removed.
Learn more
2019 – Present
Free period products in schools
When Share the Dignity learned in 2019 that children were missing school because they didn’t have access to period products, or their family could not afford them, we knew we needed to act. Gradually, different initiatives have rolled out across all states and territories, and we continue to advocate for better support in primary schools, TAFE and Universities.
Advocacy & Media
2021
First Bloody Big Survey
Share the Dignity launched our inaugural Bloody Big Survey to gather comprehensive data on menstruation and menstrual inequity in Australia. The first survey collected responses from more than 125K respondents and showed how prevalent the issue is.
Learn more
2022 – present
Free period products in hospitals
We were shocked to learn that period products aren’t mandated to be provided in hospitals. In 2022 we launched a campaign and petition which garnered 53K signatures and while some states and territories have jumped on board we continue to advocate for their provision across the board.
Learn more
2022
Global Period Poverty forum
Share the Dignity hosted the world first Global Period Poverty Forum, designed to unite those who are fighting for menstrual equity across the globe. The forum saw world-class speakers, outstanding researchers, and those making an impact in the menstrual hygiene space, come together to work towards menstrual equity globally.
2023 – present
Free period products in public places
After years of lobbying, providing support through Dignity Vending Machines, and distributing donations via our charity partners, we are thrilled that both the VIC and ACT Governments will provide free period products in public places. We continue to lobby other states and territories to follow suit.
2024
Second Bloody Big Survey
In 2024, we launched the second Bloody Big Survey. This follow-up survey allowed us to track the progress of menstrual inequity in Australia, learn more about who is experiencing it, and to tailor our support and advocacy programs to where these people are located. This survey had 153,620 responses and is the world’s largest body of data on menstruation.
Read more
2024
A proposed change to NDIS funding
In 2024, the Australian Government proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that would remove funding for period products. These products were proposed to be reclassified as "lifestyle-related" items, meaning they would no longer be covered by NDIS funding. We made a submission highlighting why this should not be the case which yielded positive results, with the proposed change not proceeding.
2024 – present
Periods in custody
People who are incarcerated should have access to period products, whether they are in a watchhouse, detention centre or serving a sentence. Providing access to period products to incarcerated individuals is essential for maintaining health, hygiene, and dignity. In 2024 we worked with Sister’s Inside to make a submission into Queensland Police Service watchhouses and we will continue to advocate for the period products in custody.
2024 – present
Council Cares
Created in response to the 2024 Bloody Big Survey results, Council Cares encourages councils to ensure menstrual equity by providing free access to period products, period product rebates and educational materials.Every councillor and mayor in Australia has been contacted with their localised survey results.
Learn more
Learn more
Check out some of our incredible advocacy work
PadUp Public Health
Learn more about our journey to #PadUp Public Health and how you can help us make the change.
Building Bloody Change
Take meaningful actions toward menstrual equity in your workplace.
