Women all over the world live with period poverty – the inability to purchase or access period products during their menstrual cycle.
Though the global figures are astounding with an estimated 500 million women and girls are living each month in period poverty – it is also estimated that in Australia, that figure is over 1 million.
Share the Dignity is an Australian charity working to turn those figures around and this year, even though their annual DigniTEA events on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, were cancelled owing to COVID-19 restrictions, they are still determined to raise much needed funds and raise awareness to help women and girls in need manage their periods with the dignity they deserve.
Share the DigniTEA at home
In place of the usual events, the 2020 Share the DigniTEA will take place at home with family, friends and work colleagues.
To m are this happen, they have partnered with Clean Tea, makers of 100% organic loose-leaf herbal teas and gift boxes to offer a gift box perfect for the Christmas Gift giving season, or just simply as a heart-warming treat.
Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity, Rochelle Courtenay, says they are so proud to be partnering for the first time with Clean Tea. ‘As two female Founders we have collaborated to create a gift that truly is a purchase with purpose.
‘Sales will support to fund our work as we focus on helping those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or who are doing it tough, so support is always greatly appreciated.
‘When someone is in a vulnerable situation, the last thing on their mind should be dealing with their period, so we work to ease this burden for them.’
Clean Tea, the enterprise of Jordana Edwards, has created two limited edition products including; a DiginiTEA gift box that contains three blends of herbal tea and a silver heart tea infuser, and a DigniTEA loose-leaf tea.
Ms Edwards, who lives at Pottsville – she says that after the birth of her second child did not want to return to full time work, so her mum who is a naturopath and medical herbalist, helped her create three beautiful herbal teas.
‘We started as a market stall almost seven years ago at Byron Bay markets. In 2015 after the birth of my third child, the markets were hard work juggling kids so we turned the business into an online store and have built it into a multi-million dollar brand using social media,’ says Mrs Edwards.
Ms Edwards says she is excited to be a leader of change amongst businesses who want to do good for people and the planet. ‘I have always been a supporter of Share the Dignity and their fight against period poverty, so when the opportunity arose to create their DigniTEA, I was so honoured.
‘Businesses have an opportunity now to do more than make money for CEO’s or shareholders, businesses have a responsibility to give back. ‘Charities have been heavily hit by covid-19 so now more than ever businesses should donate to charities where they can.
It’s giving back
Ms Edwards says it is amazing to be able to help people in this way. ‘Owning a small business, especially through the pandemic, has been extremely challenging, but getting opportunities like the DigniTEA campaign makes it all worthwhile knowing we can give back.
‘Our team has always valued what Share the Dignity do, and we are so honoured to be working with them this year on such a fantastic initiative to raise funds. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for this much needed cause, and we encourage everyone to support local charities and businesses as much as they can when purchasing gifts this year.’
The custom loose-leaf tea and gift box will be available from November 1 to 19 and $2 from every $12.50 tea box and and $5 from every $29.90 box will be donated to Share the Dignity.
For more information or to purchase a gift box, please visit https://cleantea.com.au/.