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Tackling Period Poverty in Australia: The Vision of Remy Tucker and On The House
In Australia, the rising cost of living has exacerbated an issue affecting countless individuals—period poverty. The term refers to the struggle many face in affording necessary sanitary products during menstruation. Recognising this pressing need is Remy Tucker, a 25-year-old from Brisbane who aims to combat this problem through her initiative, On The House.
Tucker first encountered the harsh realities of period poverty while training to become a midwife, where she worked closely with refugees and young mothers. “I heard stories of women as young as 14 forced to choose between purchasing baby formula for their newborns or sanitary products for themselves,” Tucker shared with Yahoo Finance. This revelation shocked her, prompting a desire to instigate change.
While pursuing studies in business and marketing, Tucker saw the vast sums of money allocated to advertising and realised this could be better directed towards addressing period poverty. From this inspiration, On The House was conceived—a company that plans to use advertising revenue to offer free period products in public bathrooms.
The Vision and Initial Launch
The concept is straightforward: by placing advertisements on product packaging and in digital dispensers within bathrooms, On The House will provide access to sanitary products at no cost. The company is set to launch in July across four venues in Brisbane and one on the Gold Coast, including a mix of universities and entertainment locations.
Tucker is proud to have bootstrapped the business, securing several advertisers before the official launch. Looking to the future, she aims to expand beyond these initial venues to install 1,500 dispensers across Australia within the next five years and more than 20,000 globally, including in Canada, the US, UK, and Europe.
The Wider Context of Period Poverty
Recent data from Share the Dignity highlights the gravity of period poverty in Australia. Their Bloody Big Survey revealed that 64% of individuals with periods have struggled to afford menstrual products, with the average spending on such products reaching $15 per month. Over a lifetime of approximately 450 periods, this equates to a staggering $6,750.
Rochelle Courtenay, the founder of Share the Dignity, notes that even those with decent incomes are increasingly finding it difficult to afford these necessities. “The cost of period products has significantly risen, with prices now commonly reaching $6 or $7,” she remarked.
The Economic Impact of Period Poverty
Beyond individual hardship, period poverty has broader economic implications. Courtenay indicates that 56% of respondents to their survey reported skipping work due to menstrual issues, resulting in an estimated loss of $9.6 billion annually to the Australian economy.
The goal of achieving menstrual equity—ensuring everyone has access to menstrual products—remains central to the mission of both On The House and Share the Dignity. Encouragingly, the Victorian government has initiated the provision of free pads and tampons through vending machines in public spaces, a move that Courtenay advocates for replication across all states.
Collaborating for Change
Addressing period poverty requires a collective effort from various stakeholders. According to Courtenay, “It’s essential for everyone to work together to promote menstrual equity.” Tucker echoes this sentiment, expressing her ambition to eliminate period poverty entirely by 2035.
By harnessing community partnerships and innovative solutions, On The House is setting a precedent for addressing this critical social issue.
Conclusion
Remy Tucker’s On The House initiative embodies a proactive approach to a problem that affects the dignity and wellbeing of many Australians. By leveraging advertising and community support, Tucker is not only enhancing accessibility to period products but also striving to foster a more equitable society—one where no individual has to compromise on their health or dignity due to financial constraints.
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