The Great Red North - Canadian Menstrual Equity Leadership in 2023

2023 was a remarkable year for menstrual health and equity leadership in Canada, with more to come in 2024. Looking over the highlights, we are proud to note that Aisle’s leaders and our colleagues in the Sustainable Menstrual Equity Coalition (SMEC) were at the forefront of making change happen, from grassroots events to the highest levels of government.

Here’s a recap of a few of our proudest moments.

Government Policy Action

Let’s Talk About It, Period: Achieving Menstrual Equity in Canada is an encouraging report prepared by the Canadian federal government’s Standing Committee on the Status of Women. The report was initiated by Karen Vecchio, MP, following a meeting with the Sustainable Menstrual Equity Canada (SMEC) coalition, of which Aisle–along with joni and BFree–is a founding member. 

Every SMEC company’s founder was called upon as an expert ‘witness’ to appear before the Standing Committee, which happened in June. SMEC was created in 2022 to represent a spectrum of Canadian women-led businesses specializing in sustainable disposable and reusable menstrual products. 

Many of our closest and most respected colleagues were also called as witnesses, including members of the BC Period Poverty Task Force, The Period Purse, Days for Girls, Moontime Connections and the United Way of British Columbia’s Period Promise campaign.

Effective December 15, 2023, Canadian federally-regulated employers are now required by the Canada Labour Code to provide pads and tampons to their staff.

Partnerships

Aisle participated in multiple partnerships aimed at addressing period poverty among marginalized populations across Canada and the US through product provision and education. 

"The Aisle products were a big hit with our member shelters. Thank you so much for all of your support."

Tosha Duncan, Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)

"We regularly purchase Aisle underwear, as well as menstrual cups. The variety of styles, as well as the large and inclusive size range allows us to meet the needs of a wide and diverse range of folks, from different body types, genders, personal preferences and needs.”

Miel Bernstein, founder, Project AIM

Learn more about some of our partners:

• Pacific Immigrant Resources Society
• Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice
• Moontime Connections
• PERIOD.
• Moontime zine with The Period Purse
• Project AIM

Post-Secondary Activations

Aisle was present at menstrual equity campus activations across Canada. Many thanks to the University of Victoria, UBC, Simon Fraser University and McGill, among others.

Be sure to check out our Whitepaper, Sustainable Menstrual Equity: How Post-Secondary Institutions are Leading the Way to learn more about how increasing numbers of colleges and universities are providing cost-free access to reusable menstrual products for their students.

Advocacy and Thought Leadership

• Canada’s Opportunity to Lead on Sustainable Menstrual Equity (Ottawa Hill Times Op/Ed, October 30, 2023)
• Menstrual Equity in the Workplace: a Roadmap to Success and Sustainability (Aisle whitepaper)
• Sustainable Menstrual Equity: How Post-Secondary Institutions are Leading the Way (Aisle whitepaper)

Podcast interviews

• Transforming Menstrual Equity Through Education & Sustainability on the People Teaching People podcast with Tiana Fech
• The Untold Stories of Menstrual Health, Social Entrepreneurship and B Corp on the Leaders of Today podcast with Ziyaan Virji
• Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Reusable Menstrual Products on the In With the New podcast with Avril Tomlin-Hood
• Social Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle for Change with Learn with Lerner podcast with Lindsey Lerner
• The Business of Doing Better with Hikma Studios Podcast
• In For the Long Game on the Small Business Big Impact podcast with Jalen Seguin

Here’s to more menstrual equity successes in 2024!