The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) today announced the expansion of its Positive Period! program to increase education, awareness, and resources to marginalized women and girls who are unable to purchase menstrual supplies due to lack of income, homelessness, incarceration, or other reasons. Programmatic partnerships have been established in San Juan, PR, Baltimore, MD, Montgomery, AL and Darlington, SC to expand the network of local providers available to identify needs and distribute supplies. Expansion of the program was made possible by partnerships with Motrin™ and Freedom Cups.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated “period poverty” in our country, with an estimated one-quarter of all U.S. menstruators struggling to afford menstruation products due to a lack of income in 2020. These challenges underscored the need for the Positive Period! Program, which was originally established in 2019. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than 3,000 personal care products to women and girls in Rwanda and Georgia.
“The impact of the COVID19 pandemic is far-reaching, making even the most basic of needs challenging for some women and girls,” said Linda Goler Blount, President & CEO, Black Women’s Health Imperative.
“Expanding the reach of the Positive Period! Program and having the support of new partners is one of the many avenues of support we’re committed to offering Black women and girls during these trying times.”
In 2021, the Positive Period! Program became a key initiative within two of BWHI’s signature programs, SIS Circles and MSK (My Sister’s Keeper), which service high school girls and college-aged women. The new program partners also include:
- Baltimore, MD – Light Health & Wellness Comprehensive Services, Inc.
- San Juan, PR – Junte Positivx PR and Matrilineo
- Darlington, SC – House of Refuge, Refuge Outreach Ministry
- Montgomery, AL – Women in Training, Inc.
For more information about the Positive Period campaign, visit positiveperiod.bwhi.org.