Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Bloody Big Survey

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (13:30): I rise today to talk about periods – around half of the members in this place have them. I just finished mine a few days ago actually, but we do not talk about them enough. Bleeding is not shameful; it is period poverty and discrimination that is. But Share the Dignity is trying to fix that through their Bloody Big Survey, by collecting information on menstruation experiences. They are seeking 200,000 respondents to capture evidence-based data to advocate for change. Run every three years, their last survey found that one in five people who bleed had to improvise on period products, almost 50 per cent wore a single tampon or pad for 4 or more hours because they had no more, 40 per cent had to call in sick due to their period symptoms and 48 per cent of students had missed class because of period symptoms. For disabled people or those living with chronic pain, finding and accessing a period product that works for them can be even harder, which is why it is so important that Share the Dignity hears from as many people as possible.

My whole office has completed the Bloody Big Survey. Between us we have shared insights on premenstrual dysphoric disorder, endometriosis, period undies, exercising with our periods and so much more, and we are proud to have contributed to the conversation that will not just normalise periods but remove the barriers surrounding them. There are just three days to go, so head to sharethedignity.org.au to take part.