.jpg)
There are 150 volunteers across Winnipeg who give their time to make kits that help girls and women experiencing period poverty around the world.
"Days for Girls Winnipeg is a part of Days for Girls Canada which belongs to Days for Girls International," says Janet Menec, the co-lead for the Days for Girls Winnipeg Chapter. "It's a worldwide group of grassroots volunteers in 150 countries around the world that make and distribute freely, reusable menstrual hygiene kits."
Now retired, previously Menec taught textile science at the University of Manitoba. She was also an educator with the Winnipeg Health Region. Menec started the Days for Girls Winnipeg chapter back in 2014.
"When I first heard about Days for Girls, it just seemed like a perfect fit. I was very excited to become involved. I thought it was going to be my own individual efforts, but so many people were excited by this same project that I was really encouraged to start the chapter here in Winnipeg."
There are 480 Days for Girls chapters around the world and 58 of those are in Canada. As half the population goes through monthly menstruation, for females in developing countries without access to proper hygiene, this can negatively affect their whole lives.
"For girls, it would mean they would probably miss up to five days of school per month because they wouldn't have the supplies that would allow them to leave the home. It would be the same for women who are looking to work to support their families, they would be missing work as well. If we can provide those sorts of supplies that every woman requires, we're listing them up to finish school in a timely fashion or allowing them to attend work."
The Winnipeg group has made and distributed over 6,000 kits since they began.
"The kits are intended to be sustainable. They are reusable and they are very cleverly designed. From the very beginning, there have been 28 iterations of the designs, in order to best meet the needs of the women and girls who use them. They are designed to last a minimum of three years."
Many countries have benefited from these hygiene kits, including multiple countries in Africa, as well as Central and South America. They are also distributed as emergency relief after natural disasters.
"When there was the earthquake in Nepal several years ago, kits were airlifted to the people who needed them. Wherever they are requested we are happy to share them."