It is estimated that, in Canada, one-third of people who menstruate and are under the age of 25 struggle to afford menstrual products, which can cost from $76 to $153 per year. The inability to afford menstrual products is a health and social equity issue that has the greatest impact on low income, homeless, Indigenous and young people who menstruate.
By proclaiming May 28 in each year as Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Province of Ontario raises awareness of the challenges people who menstruate face due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene management and highlights the importance of finding sustainable and evidence-based solutions to these challenges.
Menstrual Hygiene Day contributes to the normalization of menstruation, as menstruating is a natural bodily function, and access to menstrual products is as necessary as access to soap, water and toilet paper.