A severe community and health issue is going unaddressed, in part because the topic makes people uncomfortable, says Jada Malott: inadequate access to menstrual products.

A second-year student of political science, she is one of the organizers of a drive to collect menstrual products for those in need.

“I think we can agree that menstrual products are not luxury items,” Malott says. “They are actually one of the most requested items at outreach centres like food banks but are the least donated, simply because people are not aware of the need.”

She and Danielle Dewar, classmates in professor Rita Haase’s course “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Health,” will staff a table in the CAW Student Centre for noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, collecting donations of unopened packs of sanitary pads, tampons, panty liners, or menstrual cups or disks for the campus Womxn’s Centre.

“Maintaining your period with dignity should not be considered a luxury,” says Malott. “This is why I call on all of my peers to participate in our Menstruation Monday initiative, ensuring that students have proper access to menstrual products at all times.”