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Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna is collecting hygiene products for women affected by poverty around International Women’s Day (March 8). At the same time, the aim is to draw attention to the “taboo subject of menstruation,” according to a Caritas press release on Monday.
In Austria, 533,000 women are at risk of poverty, and around 95,000 are severely affected by poverty. Inflation is exacerbating the situation. “The risk of being affected by poverty is greater for women than for men,” emphasized Doris Anzengruber, head of the Caritas social counselling centre in Vienna.
“In addition to rising living costs for food, rent, and energy, women also have to spend money on necessary period products; this is a major problem, especially for women living in poverty,” said Anzengruber.
The taboo subject of menstruation
Two out of three of those affected who turn to social counseling are female, reported Anzengruber. “Their salaries and pensions are usually lower and are often not enough to cover their basic needs.”
“The topic of menstruation is unfortunately still a taboo subject – even in our office, women are more likely to ask for support for cleaning products than for menstrual products, although these are everyday necessities for them,” said Anzengruber. “Products that cost a lot of money every month, which many women don’t have.”
This is why Caritas will be collecting sanitary towels, tampons, and underwear in mint condition for poor and homeless women at various locations in Vienna over the next few days.
Free period products are already being handed out to those affected in the Caritas shelters for homeless women and the Le+O food distribution points. A box can also be found at the “Caritas Shop mit Ziege” (Mariahilfer Straße 77) to make access to menstrual products much easier for women affected by poverty.
Donations in kind and money requested
In addition to a collection campaign on March 8, which will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the “Caritas Shop mit Ziege” at 77 Mariahilferstraße, sanitary pads, tampons, and new underwear can be handed in at many Caritas locations in the federal capital between March 4 and 31.
Cash donations can also be donated to the wirhelfen.store for women affected by poverty. For five euros per month, you can support a woman with the monthly purchase of tampons, sanitary towels and underwear as a “period sponsor,” and for 15 euros, you can give tampons, sanitary towels, and underwear as a gift. (Info: www.wirhelfen.at)
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