Share the Dignity: Media Release and Pitch Email
- Hang Pham Minh Le
- Apr 26, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 10, 2025
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 April 2024
Share the Dignity Partners with Melbourne City Council to Examine Homeless Women's Menstrual Access
Melbourne, Australia - Today, Share the Dignity announced a strategic partnership with Melbourne City Council to conduct a comprehensive investigation into homeless women's access to menstruation products and sanitary facilities. This collaboration is a huge step forward in tackling the critical issue of Melbourne's vulnerable homeless population.
According to recent data, Melbourne is the third-highest metropolitan area for homelessness in Victoria, with women accounting for 38% of the homeless population. Furthermore, women constitute the vast majority of the newly homeless, accounting for more than one-third of all homeless people under the age of 25. Despite this worrying information, there is a severe dearth of particular data on the menstrual health and hygiene needs of homeless women, emphasising the urgency of this investigation.
The investigation will focus on three key aspects: the availability, affordability and accessibility of menstrual products; the accessibility and quality of hygiene facilities; and gynaecology healthcare services for homeless women in Melbourne. It will be conducted in collaboration with local sanitary service providers, healthcare providers, other homeless organisations, and certainly, homeless women in Melbourne to ensure comprehensive and accurate insights into the issue.
“This investigation will provide invaluable insights that are essential for developing practical solutions to address the pressing issue of menstrual access for homeless women in Melbourne," remarked Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp. She expressed her enthusiasm for this partnership, adding that it aligns with the city's commitment to equity and social justice.
“The menstrual health of homeless women has long been overlooked," said Rochelle Courtenay, Founder of Share the Dignity. Through the investigation, Share the Dignity aims to “make policymakers and community leaders more aware of this issue and adopt evidence-based solutions to enhance menstrual accessibility for homeless women,” Rochelle stated.
The investigation will begin on 1 May 2024 and is expected to last 6 months. The findings will be made public in February 2025 on the Share the Dignity and City of Melbourne websites.
As this partnership embarks on its mission to improve menstrual access for homeless women in Melbourne through this investigation, policymakers, community leaders, and concerned citizens are invited to support and work together to make a significant impact on the homeless women issue.
-End-
For further media contact:
Contact name: Hang Le
Phone: +61 451 052 801
Share the Dignity is a well-known Australian organisation that provides menstruation products to women and girls who are homeless, experiencing domestic violence, or living in poverty. Their aim is to recognise and elevate the dignity of vulnerable women, particularly those who are homeless.
Pitch Email
Subject: Partnership between Share the Dignity and Melbourne City Council to Address Homeless Women’s Menstrual Access
Dear Ms. Kristine,
I hope this email finds you well. I'm excited to unveil a profound partnership between Share the Dignity and Melbourne City Council, focusing on investigating menstrual accessibility for homeless women.
Despite Melbourne being Victoria's third-highest city for homelessness and a concerning upward trend in women's homelessness rates, there is a scarcity of data on the challenges that homeless women encounter while getting menstruation products and services. Our investigation will address this gap by concentrating on three major areas:
Menstrual product availability and affordability
Access to public hygiene facilities
Availability of gynaecology healthcare services
I know you're a feminist advocate from your social media and publications, therefore I believe this topic will interest you. This article would be ideal for The Saturday Paper.
I am confident that our story will capture the attention of your audience, stimulate discussion, and make a meaningful impact. If you would like more information on our investigation, please feel free to contact me. I am excited to share in-depth insights and our most recent discoveries to enrich your coverage.
Warm regards,
Hang Le, Communication Officer
Share the Dignity
+61 451 052 801
Reference
City of Melbourne (n.d.) About Council, City of Melbourne website, accessed 26 April 2024. https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/Pages/about-council.aspx
Convery S (22 March 2023) ‘Women majority of newly homeless, as ABS census data shows problem getting worse', The Guardian, accessed 26 April 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/22/women-majority-of-newly-homeless-as-abs-census-data-shows-problem-getting-worse
Council to Homeless Persons (2023) Analysis Report Victoria’s Top 20: Areas with surging homelessness, Council to Homeless Persons website, accessed 26 April 2024. https://chp.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/230602_Census-Analysis_FINAL.pdf
Council to Homeless Persons (2022) Homelessness in Melbourne, Council to Homeless Persons website, accessed 26 April 2024.
Kristine Ziwica (n.d.) Kristine Ziwica, Kristine Ziwica website, accessed 26 April 2024. https://www.kristineziwica.com/#:~:text=Kristine%20Ziwica%20is%20a%20Melbourne,rights%20and%20gender%20equality%20campaigns.
Share the Dignity (n.d.) About us, Share the Dignity website, accessed 26 April 2024. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/about
Share the Dignity (n.d.) Share the Dignity, Share the Dignity website, accessed 26 April 2024. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/
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