Menstrual Equity Fund
Menstrual equity means everyone has what they need to manage their periods with dignity – affordable products, safe facilities, education, and the ability to talk about menstruation without stigma. Period poverty happens when people can’t afford or access these products or resources.
Addressing barriers related to affordability and stigma
In 2023, the Government of Canada launched a Menstrual Equity Fund (MEF) pilot project to test a national approach to providing free menstrual products to low-income and diverse communities across Canada, and to increase education and awareness on people’s knowledge of menstrual products and period stigma.
By providing education and access to free menstrual products, the pilot helps reduce period poverty, ease the pressure of rising living costs, support better health, and make it easier for people to participate more fully in school, work, and the economy.
Food Banks Canada, one of the country’s largest organizations working to address food insecurity, was selected to run the MEF pilot. Visit Food Banks Canada’s website to learn how the project is being delivered.
Progress and key findings
Since 2023, nearly 400 pilot sites and over 2,000 distribution locations have participated, with representation in all provinces and territories across Canada.
The pilot results so far demonstrate a consistently high demand for menstrual products from people visiting food banks and community organizations.
Millions of menstrual products have been distributed, resulting in over 4 million instancesNote de bas de page * of people in Canada accessing these products.
To support choice and dignity, the pilot offers a range of menstrual products so people can choose what works best for them. This includes disposable options like pads and tampons, and in some locations, reusable products like menstrual cups, cloth pads, and period underwear.
Six menstrual equity organizations across the country scaled-up more than 450 education and awareness resources.
They reached nearly 70,000 people, many of whom had never received menstrual health education before.
The MEF Pilot Impact: Insights and Perspectives
Testimonials from the national MEF pilot have shown that people’s quality of life has improved. Many said they were able to put money toward other essentials and they missed fewer days of school or work because they had enough supplies to manage their periods safely.
Overall, the MEF pilot received positive feedback from both participating organizations and from clients accessing the free menstrual products and participating in educational programming.
"I really appreciate that tampons are supplied for me and pads for my girls. With groceries costing so much now, not having to pay for tampons and maxi pads save me money so I can spend it on food."
- A mother of three teenage daughters
“The workshop was very helpful and changed the way that periods were explained to me as a kid, it helped me to change my idea of being ashamed during my period.”
- Participant at an awareness workshop held by Help a Girl Out
"Clients that have three or four female members in household saw a significant savings."
- A staff member at a distribution site
“By not having to include menstrual products in our weekly grocery order, we are able to reallocate that money towards other needs (i.e. allow us to expand our services). As a shelter, we have tight budgetary restraints, so any assistance we can secure in the purchase of high priced, necessary items, is greatly appreciated.”
- A staff member at a distribution site