Sanitary napkin brand Always has partnered today with celebrity, James Van Der Beek, to #EndPeriodPoverty. The campaign aims to support girls not having to miss out on activities they love to do due to the lack of access to period products.
Always donated 500,000 pads last year. This year, Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) brand collaborates with America’s Promise Alliance to donate 1.5 million pads. The company said research shows nearly 1 in 5 girls in the US skip school because they don’t have access to the products.
“As a dad to four girls and a son, I wanted to bring awareness to an issue that most men rarely think about and inspire other fathers to take an active role in tackling it,” Van Der Beek said. “Period poverty is happening in our own communities, and the effects are far-reaching. No child should have to miss out on crucial childhood activities because they don’t have access to period products.”
He said he is thrilled to be part of a campaign that takes away the stigma on periods and help increase access to period products. In 2019, Always #EndPeriodPoverty program partnered with a local martial arts studio in Florida to help girls in need.
“At Always, we’ve been committed to championing girls’ confidence for over 35 years with puberty education programs and by providing access to period products to those in need,” Hesham Tohamy, vice president feminine care P&G, said.
“With the continued support from Walmart, now parents, teachers, coaches, and everyone in our communities, can help us do more for girls across the country. Together we can help #EndPeriodPoverty so girls don’t miss out on the confidence-building activities they love because of lack of access to period product.”