Locals can help Queensland Rugby League to end period poverty through Share the Dignity as the QRL Wide Bay now has collection bins at Salters Oval.
Throughout March, QRL will hold a dignity drive with the aim of collecting 500,000 period products through Share the Dignity.
QRL Club Coordinator Kym McIntosh said she was proud to be part of the campaign to raise support for local women.
“It’s a privilege to be a female in rugby league and supporting other women in rugby league and partnering with Share the Dignity,” she said.
“Share the Dignity is all about supporting females that are going through tough times and they can’t afford to buy themselves the products they need to in order to get through every day living.
“Periods are a once-a-month thing for most women, and they (products) are expensive at times.
“I think being able to give females who are struggling in their personal situations, whether it be because of domestic violence, or the housing shortage as rent has increased, we are able to give back and support the community and the women who are going through tough times.”
QRL Wide Bay area manager Bryce Holdsworth said they were pleased to support Share the Dignity for the first time, and they would continue to do so for years to come.
Although rugby league is typically a male dominated sport, Bryce said it was important to support not only the growing number of female players, but also the staff, volunteers and female community members.
“It’s really important for us to be involved with Share the Dignity, with many females across the state struggling with period poverty,” he said.
“We felt a need to support where we can and by providing a Share the Dignity collection box we hope to provide some assistance to the females that may be struggling to purchase sanitary items.
“We have quite a number of female players throughout Wide Bay, but we also have a lot of female volunteers as well, who do a massive job for our leagues and clubs.
“We all understand sometimes it is hard to ask for help, so this is just one way we can show our support for the many females within our sporting community.”
Community can donate to Share the Dignity
Bryce said Bundaberg community members could also help to share the dignity by donating female hygiene products.
“We would be grateful, if the community could assist us with this great cause by donating any type of sanitary item they like,” he said.
“We have a collection box at the QRL office, Salter Oval – we have this at the bottom of our stairs which is behind the main grandstand.
“Community members can drive in the gate, with the box being out between 8 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.
“For those outside of Bundaberg, we have collection boxes in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Gold Coast and Ipswich offices.”
QRL social impact and inclusion coordinator Liberty Jones said Share the Dignity was identified as a charity important to QRL employees during a recent social impact and corporate social responsibility survey.
“QRL recognise that great work Share the Dignity have done with putting period product vending machines in Queensland schools, so we see great value in supporting them in making such a positive change in the lives of young females,” Liberty said.
“There are many young females playing the game in Queensland who are experiencing period poverty and struggles within their lives, so we see great value in supporting Share the Dignity support these girls.”
Liberty said it was important to be part of education around female health and wellness to improve the lives of those struggling.
“We want to be part of creating an environment where young females feel safe and supported,” she said.
She said QRL had also conducted education forums around working with female athletes across the southeast last month.
“We want to leverage the unique footprint QRL have across the state to raise awareness of social issues impacting our communities, including joining the conversation about the struggles girls and women have around period poverty,” she said.
Share the Dignity vending machines, supplying free sanitary products, are located locally at Angels Community Group, Bundaberg Hospital and a number of high schools.
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