On any given night in Australia, 1 in 200 people are homeless, 44% are female, 27% are children under the age of 18. Family violence is the number one reason people present to homeless services with 55% of females citing this reason. 85,000 women used Homeless Services last year!
As an organisation, Share the Dignity - run by volunteers - oversees a number of initiatives that give back to Australian women and children in need, with a particular focus on victims of domestic violence. Services range from collecting sanitary items for homeless women and those fleeing domestic violence, to funding the funerals of domestic violence victims.
No woman should have to choose between sanitary items or feeding her family. It is not unusual for these women in need to resort to using paper towels or toilet paper during menstruation, because they could not afford sanitary items after paying for their basic needs such rent and food for the family.
Every April and August, Share the Dignity call on the public to help give dignity to those in need at a time they need it most by donating the items below at registered collection points.
- Menstrual pads
- Packets of tampons
- Period-proof underwear
- Menstrual cups
- Incontinence pads
- Maternity pads
"Can I donate money? There are a number of options on the website that make donating even easier. You can donate money (via PayPal), purchase packets of Tsuno sanitary items, buy JuJu menstrual cups or Modibodi underwear. These products will be delivered directly to us to provide to women in need. The money you donate helps us to run our campaigns and with expenses like insurances, licences, permits and website fees."