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The Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) has partnered with national charity ‘Share The Dignity’ to deliver a third instalment of ‘Fighting Period Poverty Round’ this week for Round 13.

The WNBL and Share the Dignity started the initiative during the 22/23 Season with the goal of raising awareness on period poverty in Australia.

WNBL are the only sports league in Australia to drive awareness for the cause with Christy Collier-Hill, Head of WNBL noting “it will be the third consecutive year of Fighting Period Poverty Round in WNBL and we’re hoping the momentum and conversations around the initiative continue.

“As a professional women’s league in Australia we have a responsibility to support and address issues that affect girls and women. We’ve got a fantastic partner in Share the Dignity and we look forward to the WNBL’s athletes, clubs and community getting behind the cause again this year.”

Founded in 2015, Share the Dignity works to make a real, on-the-ground difference in the lives of women and girls experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough.

They distribute sanitary items to those in need and work to end period poverty here in Australia and Founder Rochelle Courtenay spoke to the importance of aligning this week’s initiative with the WNBL.

Courtenay enthused “I am thrilled Share the Dignity is partnering with the WNBL for Fighting Period Poverty Round. It is incredible to see elite-level athletes shining a spotlight on period poverty and helping normalise conversations around periods.

“We are so grateful they share our passion to fight period poverty and we cannot wait to see what we can achieve through this dedicated round.”

“I want to ensure every single person in the country knows period poverty exists here in Australia and with the support of incredible sports teams like the WNBL, I am certain we can get there. When we work together, we are so much stronger.”

Share the Dignity proudly partner with over 3,000 charities nationally, helping them to assist the women, girls and those who menstruate who desperately need access to period products. This is achieved through their Dignity Drives, Dignity Vending Machines, and their annual It’s in the Bag campaign.

WHAT IS PERIOD POVERTY?
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, hand-washing facilities and waste management.

It is an issue that greatly affects the unemployed, university and TAFE students, homeless people, those displaced due to domestic violence and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Period poverty is more common than we think and has long-lasting impacts on the lives of women, girls and those who menstruate.

Here are some alarming statistics about period poverty in Australia*:

• 19% of Australian menstruators are forced to improvise on period products
• 54% of Australian menstruators have had to change to a less suitable period product due to the cost
• 61% have worn a tampon or pad for more than 4 hours because they didn’t have enough to get by
• 63%% have missed education classes due to their periods
• 68% have missed sports because of their periods

*Statistics sourced from ‘The Bloody Big Survey’ 2024 

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE

• Donate packets of period products at all games during Round 13 – WNBL tickets available here. 
• Buy a pair of ‘Big Bloody Socks’ with proceeds going directly to the cause. Buy socks here. 
• Donate to Share the Dignity to support their work across Australia – Click here to make a donation direct to the cause. 
• Re-share and repost content from the WNBL throughout the week to amplify the conversation.

More information on ‘Share The Dignity’ 

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