Teen Times “Period Poverty” project ongoing, more schools to receive items | SOUALIGA NEWSDAY

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Teen Times reported over the weekend that its “Period Poverty” pilot project that it kicked off last school year in the Sundial school is a success and will be expanded to other schools for the current school year.

On Friday last the group re-supplied Sundial with female sanitary products provided by its partner in the initiative Prime Distributors. The products are placed in a pantry that is accessible to students who are in need of such items. The pantry was provided by Kooyman in cooperation with NIPA’s General Property Maintenance Course.

The project is part of the group’s campaign to combat ‘Period Poverty’ on St. Maarten, by having government pass legislation mandating free access to sanitary hygiene products in public spaces, including schools. Period Poverty is defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products.

Teen Times indicated that from all indications from the school management of Sundial and its students, the project is needed, welcomed and appreciated. The group said it will now discuss with at least two other schools to install pantries this school year.

Teen Times explained that on St. Maarten, when less fortunate youth are mentioned, rarely is the problem of health and hygiene included in this context. “As Teen Times, we can attest to the vast number of teenage girls primarily, but boys as well, who do not have access to sanitary hygiene products on a regular basis. These products are costly and sometimes parents are forced to choose between hygiene and putting food on the table.”

Teen Times believes in the worldwide movement that is making access to sanitary products free in certain public locations, in particular schools. Teen Times believes that menstrual equity can only be achieved when period products are accessible, safe, and destigmatized.

“None of this would have been possible without the generous donations of Prime Distributors and Kooyman who immediately jumped on the worthy cause. We are only trying to do our part to make in difference in young lives and doing so with dedicated assistance makes the journey less challenging. We are extremely thankful to these companies for being socially responsible and supportive of the initiative,” Teen Times said.