New mural to raise period poverty awareness
Mount Barker District Council received a grant of $5,000 through the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Period Justice Grants Program in April this year to deliver its ‘Blooms Of Change – Periods Without Poverty’ project.
Council Planning and Regulatory General Manager Natalie Armstrong said council has maximised the grant’s impact by delivering an integrated project that supported collaboration, education, awareness and accessibility.
“The mural makes a bold and bright statement reminding us that period poverty is a very real issue and the Commissioner’s grant enables us to cultivate an inclusive community where menstruation is no longer a barrier to dignity and opportunity,” Ms Armstrong said.
“The latest survey by national charity Share The Dignity found 64 per cent of Australians have struggled to afford period products and we’re hearing anecdotally from local community support services that increasing numbers of people need help accessing sanitary items because they can’t afford them.
“Our goal with the ‘Blooms Of Change – Periods Without Poverty’ project is to create community change by sparking meaningful conversations about period poverty and making menstrual hygiene products more readily available to help fill existing resource gaps and build on the good work being done by local service providers.”
Adelaide Hills artist TaylrJay spent two weeks developing the mural design which took a month to paint and hopes the artwork has ‘a really positive impact’.
“The vibrant design reflects a playful and free energy and features a range of local native flowers as well as human figures in poses of freedom and celebration to promote inclusivity and connection,” Taylr said.
“Menstrual products including cups, pads and tampons have also been incorporated into the floral and sky design elements.
“When people see the mural, I hope they feel empowered by the steps being taken to normalise menstruation and destigmatise the conversation around menstrual health, and that it encourages further dialogue around this important and complex experience that affects so many people directly and indirectly.”
In addition to the community mural, project deliverables included the installation of six public toilet dispensers across the district stocked with free menstrual hygiene products, the distribution of 200 period packs to local community service groups and the development of two high school education kits.
The Commissioner’s Period Justice Grants Program is in its third year and is an annual initiative that provides grants of up to $5000 to organisations committed to supporting period and menstruation awareness and wellbeing.
Blooms of Change (Period Justice Grant) | Mount Barker District Council
