Comedian and influencer Christian Hull has taken to social media to use the current #toiletpapergate crisis to remind fans of the fact that period poverty is a very real issue.
If you’ve tried to purchase some toilet paper this week, you’ve probably found yourself shit out of luck because a bunch of doomsday preppers have cleared the shelves of almost every supermarket in the country. It’s truly wild stuff.
Many of us have been forced to imagine what the hell we’re supposed to do if we can’t get our hands on a roll of toilet paper before our next spicy meal. But unlike this crisis, which will pass as soon as everyone calms the fuck down, thousands of women across Australia are left without sanitary items on a daily basis because they can’t afford them.
Christian took to Twitter to share the important message, urging his fans to support the Share The Dignity initiative, which helps to provide sanitary items to those in need.
Donations of pads and tampons can be made at any @woolworths throughout March. @sharingdignity #EndPeriodPoverty #toiletpapergate #ToiletPaperEmergency #toiletpapercrisis pic.twitter.com/J2iHIo685M
— Christian Hull (@christianhull) March 5, 2020
While we can all poke fun at everyone stockpiling their toilet paper, it’s important to remember that this is a struggle that thousands of women deal with every day. Living without sanitary items is just as humiliating and undignified as living without toilet paper, but for so many women around Australia, it’s simply not an option.
The Share The Dignity Dignity Drive runs for the entire month of March and urges those who can afford sanitary items to donate them to the people who need them most.
Collection points are available at Woolworths stores around the country, in addition to a number of other businesses. At the end of the month, the donations will be distributed to partner charities to help women who are unable to afford sanitary products as a result of homelessness, domestic violence or other hardship.
If you can’t buy toilet paper this week, why not spend that $5 on a packet of pads or tampons to donate to someone in need? The initiative accepts unopened pads, maternity pads, incontinence pads, new reusable pads, tampons, period-proof underwear and menstrual cups.
You can find your local collection point on the Share The Dignity website.
