The Power To Change Menstrual Health Access and Eradicate Period Poverty
Sabrina Browne, (L) Partner, The Flow Initiative and Eiko La Boria, (R) CEO & Founder, The Flow Initiative, work to eradicate period poverty.
By Eiko La Boria and Sabrina Browne
Nationwide, 7 in 10 people agree that period poverty is a public health issue according to U By Kotex. At The Flow Initiative, we are committed to eradicating period poverty and accelerating access to menstrual health products in Hudson County, New Jersey, and nationwide.
Period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products because of affordability. This can exclude women, young girls, non-binary, and trans-Americans from basic activities, from sports to socializing, or attending work or school.
This is a global health issue and multi-layered crisis, that is often shrouded in silence, stigma, and shame. That's why The Flow Initiative is working to usher in a new dawn of menstrual equity for girls, women, and all who menstruate.
This starts with talking about periods in media and harnessing platforms like Take The Lead to elevate these conversations on a national scale. We believe the media is an ally to the menstrual health movement, whose impact creates new opportunities and pathways for stronger awareness.
Media plays a critical role in telling our story and ensuring the people who need The Flow Initiative most can locate us and receive free menstrual health products.Yet, packaging and delivering menstrual health products is only one solution in this multi-layered crisis.
The Flow Initiative's approach is driven by advocacy, activism, educational programs, and partnerships with the desired outcome to drive policy changes. In fact, we created Project Local Access which puts free period packages in libraries across Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey.
A recent Peiod Poverty Drive through the Flow Initiative.
We are also working with New Jersey Assemblywomen Shanique Speight to host the state's first-ever Menstrual Equity Summit on October 22. These are two examples of our power to change menstrual health access and eradicate period poverty, and we are committed to doing this work every single day.
““The Flow Initiative is working to usher in a new dawn of menstrual equity for girls, women, and all who menstruate.We are partnering to host #NJMHESummit 2022 10/22.”—Eiko La Boria and Sabrina Browne #PowerToChangeStories”
The Flow Initiative is a local organization committed to eradicating period poverty and accelerating access to menstrual health products in Hudson County, New Jersey, and nationwide. Led by Eiko La Boria and her partner Sabrina Browne, The Flow Initiative has distributed more than 750,000 products for women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
https://www.facebook.com/theflowinitiativefoundation/ ; https://www.instagram.com/theflowinitiative/?hl=en ; https://theflowinitiativefoundation.org/