Addressing Period Poverty: Remy Tucker’s Groundbreaking Initiative
In Australia, period poverty remains a pressing issue, exacerbated by the rising cost of living. Remy Tucker, a 25-year-old from Brisbane, aims to tackle this problem with her innovative venture, On The House, which offers free period products in public restrooms.
Tucker’s awareness of period poverty emerged during her midwifery studies, where she encountered the harsh realities faced by refugees and young mothers. These women often faced an agonising decision between purchasing baby formula for their newborns or essential sanitary products for themselves. Tucker remarked, “As a mother, that choice was super easy… but it’s just not a choice any woman should have to make.”
Shocked by the extent of period poverty in Australia, Tucker redirected her studies from midwifery to business and marketing, driven by the discovery of significant spending on advertising in the industry. This realisation prompted her to create a more impactful solution.
The concept of On The House was born, revolutionising the way period products are distributed. By leveraging advertising revenue, Tucker aims to fund free sanitary products available in public restrooms. Advertisements will be featured on product packaging and digital dispensers, with the initial launch set for July across various venues in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including universities and entertainment locations.
The initiative seeks to address an alarming statistic from Share the Dignity, a charity focused on ending period poverty. Their recent survey revealed that 64% of menstruators have struggled to afford period products, with many spending approximately $15 each month. This adds up to a staggering $6,750 over a lifetime of menstruation.
Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, indicated that even those on stable incomes are affected due to the increasing prices of period products. She noted how past prices have escalated from $3 or $4 to as much as $6 or $7 today.
Period poverty’s repercussions extend beyond personal health; it significantly impacts the wider economy. The survey found that 56% of respondents had missed work due to their period, costing the Australian economy an estimated $9.6 billion annually in lost productivity. Courtenay emphasised the necessity of not only alleviating period poverty but also fostering menstrual equity—ensuring that everyone has access to menstrual products.
Encouraging progress has been made, as evidenced by the Victorian government’s introduction of free pads and tampons through public vending machines. Courtenay expressed optimism for similar initiatives to expand across other states, stating, “It’s amazing… We want this in every state.”
On The House aims to install 1,500 dispensers across Australia within five years and plans to expand internationally to Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe, aiming for over 20,000 dispensers globally. Tucker is determined to eliminate period poverty altogether by 2035, cementing her commitment to this vital cause.
Through collaboration with councils, organisations, and communities, Tucker believes that achieving menstrual equity will require collective effort. She asserts, “It’s going to take everyone," highlighting the importance of unity in addressing this vital issue.
As On The House prepares for its launch, Tucker hopes her initiative not only alleviates period poverty but also sparks widespread awareness and action across Australia and beyond.
