General News
9 March, 2026
Period poverty data revealed
A report revealing hidden hotspots of period poverty across Victoria shows that community members in the Wimmera are better off than the average across the state.
In an Australian first, The Dignity Map, led by Share the Dignity, provides data region-specific, including for the Wimmera.
It allows locals to see how period poverty is impacting the community, both locally and across Victoria.
Locally, more than 100 people responded to the survey, with the findings including that more than half (51 per cent) of respondents had missed work due to their period poverty, 56 per cent had missed school, and 65 per cent had missed sports.
Compared to Victoria, these figures were lower: statewide, 56 per cent of the 153,000 respondents missed work, 63 per cent missed school, and 67 per cent missed sport.
More than 60 per cent of responses statewide indicated they had struggled to afford period products, while across Australia, the average monthly expenditure on period products is $30.
Horsham and surrounding residents are spending more than that, on average, at $35 a month.
Alarmingly, 38 per cent of local respondents said they felt adequately educated about menstruation before their first period.
The Dignity Map has been released ahead of the Dignity Drive, held in March and August each year, and is based on data collected from Share the Dignity's 2024 "Bloody Big Survey".
The survey also found that one in four people had to wear pads or tampons for longer than four hours due to cost, 68 per cent had experienced a painful period that disrupts daily life, and 83 per cent of gender diverse people and 78 per cent of people with a disability had experienced period poverty.
Share the Dignity Founder and Managing Director, Rochelle Courtenay, said the data highlights the ongoing need for support across the state.
“Victoria’s data shows how widespread this issue still is,” Ms Courtenay said.
“Behind these figures are real people missing school, missing work, and missing out on everyday life because they cannot afford basic period products.
“No one should ever have to use toilet paper, socks or cotton wool to manage their period."
Running throughout March, the Dignity Drive invites shoppers to donate unopened period products and incontinence aids at Woolworths Supermarkets and participating businesses across Victoria.
To explore the Dignity Map or find your nearest collection point, visit sharethedignity.org.au/dignity-drives.