Dignity for All: How One Woman’s Vision is Revolutionizing Menstrual Health in Australia
In the land down under, where sunshine and opportunity abound, a startling reality lurked beneath the surface. Thousands of Australian women were resorting to toilet paper, socks, and even newspapers to manage their periods. This shocking discovery ignited a fire in Rochelle Courtenay, propelling her to found Share the Dignity, a charity that’s revolutionizing menstrual health and shattering taboos surrounding periods.
A Personal Awakening
Rochelle’s journey began with her own battle against endometriosis. “I couldn’t have got through my day without tampons, pads, sometimes even having to sit on a towel,” she recalls. This intimate struggle opened her eyes to a broader issue: if she, with all her resources, found menstruation challenging, what about those less fortunate?
The revelation that 48,000 Australian women were experiencing homelessness and struggling with period management hit Rochelle hard. “How did I actually get to be 44 years of age and not even know that this could be an issue for somebody?” she pondered. This moment of clarity became the catalyst for Share the Dignity.
From Small Beginnings to National Impact
What started as a few packs of pads collected by locals in her community has blossomed into a thriving national operation. Under Rochelle’s leadership, Share the Dignity has collected millions of menstrual products, distributed them to women in need, and sparked a national conversation about period poverty.
Breaking the Silence
Rochelle recognized that providing products was just the beginning. To create lasting change, she needed to break the silence surrounding menstruation. “We change that through the beauty of social media where people are starting to now feel comfortable to have conversations around menstruation,” she explains.
Share the Dignity has created innovative resources like “Bro in the Know,” designed to educate boys and men about menstruation. This inclusive approach acknowledges that everyone plays a role in destigmatizing periods and creating a more understanding society.
Innovative Solutions for Dignity
Rochelle’s innovative spirit led to the creation of the world’s first “dignity vending machine.” These machines, placed in public spaces, dispense free period products, ensuring women can access necessary items without embarrassment or financial strain.
The charity’s “It’s In The Bag” campaign has become a national phenomenon. Twice a year, Australians are encouraged to fill handbags with essentials, providing touching gifts to women spending holidays in domestic violence shelters. This initiative not only provides practical support but also sends a powerful message of care and solidarity.
Changing Policy, Changing Lives
Rochelle’s advocacy work has led to significant policy changes, demonstrating her ability to effect change at the highest levels. Her crowning achievement came in January 2019 when she successfully campaigned to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from menstrual products in Australia.
This victory was the result of a meticulously planned and executed strategy. Rochelle gathered over 120,000 signatures on a federal petition, the most online-signed petition Australia had ever seen at the time. She navigated the political landscape with skill, securing bipartisan support and ultimately changing the law.
“I wanted to play the game different to what had ever been played before,” Rochelle says of her approach. Her persistence and political savvy made period products more affordable for all Australian women, a change that impacts millions of lives every day.
Overcoming Challenges with a Sporting Spirit
Rochelle’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Talking openly about periods and poverty remains challenging in many circles. However, she approaches opposition with a sports-minded strategy, drawing on her 40-year netball career.
“If that girl got that goal in, then I had to work out a different way to defend her,” she explains, applying this competitive spirit to her advocacy work. This approach has helped her secure partnerships with major corporations like Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain, expanding Share the Dignity’s reach and impact.
A Vision for the Future
While Rochelle hopes that one day Share the Dignity won’t need to exist, she has clear goals for the near future. She envisions a world where:
- Period products are freely available in all public spaces
- Workplaces provide menstrual supplies as standard
- Comprehensive menstrual education is the norm for all genders
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities offer free menstrual products
- Every state and territory in Australia provides period products in schools and public institutions
Share the Dignity’s work extends beyond urban areas, reaching into remote indigenous communities. The “It’s In The Bag” campaign serves a dual purpose in these areas, incentivizing women to access crucial health services like breast screenings and gynecological check-ups.
The Heart of the Mission
Rochelle shares a poignant story that fuels her ongoing work: a young woman who, at 14, had to steal socks from a Laundromat to manage her period while living on the streets. “I will fight for that little girl that never, ever needs to do that ever again, no matter where she is in the world,” Rochelle vows.
This commitment to dignity for all women, regardless of their circumstances, is at the heart of Share the Dignity’s mission. It’s a reminder that behind the statistics and policy changes are real women with real struggles, deserving of respect and support.
The Power of One, the Strength of Many
Rochelle’s journey with Share the Dignity serves as a powerful reminder that one person can indeed make a difference. Her parting message encapsulates this spirit: “If you see something wrong, you can be part of the solution to fix it. Just surround yourself with incredible people and you’ll all work out a way to make it better.”
This collaborative approach has been key to Share the Dignity’s success. Rochelle has built a network of over 5,000 volunteers across Australia, harnessing the power of community to drive change.
A Legacy of Dignity
Through determination, innovation, and a willingness to tackle taboo subjects head-on, Rochelle Courtenay and Share the Dignity are creating a world where period poverty is a thing of the past, and menstrual health is recognized as a fundamental right for all.
Rochelle’s achievements are numerous and impactful:
- Collected and distributed millions of menstrual products to women in need
- Successfully campaigned to remove the GST from menstrual products
- Invented the world’s first dignity vending machine
- Created educational resources to destigmatize menstruation
- Secured partnerships with major corporations to expand reach and impact
- Influenced policy changes at state and federal levels
- Built a national network of over 5,000 volunteers
But perhaps her greatest achievement is the shift in national conversation. Thanks to Rochelle’s tireless efforts, period poverty and menstrual health are now topics of public discourse, paving the way for continued progress and change.
As we look to the future, Rochelle Courtenay’s work reminds us that we can create a more equitable and dignified world for all with passion, perseverance, and willingness to challenge the status quo. Her story is not just about menstrual health; it’s a testament to the power of compassion, innovation, and the unshakeable belief that every person deserves dignity, no matter their circumstances. So sit back and enjoy the full episode at our Channel.
-Staff Reporter
