'It shouldn't just be on women': Pro basketballer Aimie Rocci tackles issue affecting one in five Aussies
By Maddison Leach|
At 29 years old, pro basketballer Aimie Rocci has experienced her fair share of periods on and off the court, but she only recently discovered how many Australians go without at that time of the month.
One in five Aussies are forced to use unsuitable alternatives because they can't afford period products like pads and tampons, with women and girls fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness most affected.
The statistics are staggering, yet millions of Aussies have no clue that 'period poverty' even exists.
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"It's the first time I've been exposed [to the concept of period poverty]... it's unbelievable to think that people don't have access to these things," Rocci tells 9Honey.
Girls and women experiencing period poverty battle shame and risk developing infections and other health issues from using unsuitable period alternatives.
Period poverty could also be contributing to the lack of female representation in sport, as a global report by PUMA and Modibodi found that half of girls quit sport due to periods.
It's hard not to wonder how many of those girls have experienced period poverty and how many may have continued to chase sporting dreams if they'd had access to period products.
But when so many Australians still view menstruation as a taboo topic, it can feel impossible to create change.
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"It shouldn't just be on women to have to afford these things. It should be a societal thing where everyone can help," Rocci says.
"Don't shy away from conversations about things that affect womenกญ if you can help, you should."
A big part of the problem is a lack of education around and awareness of period poverty, but the Cygnett Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) is gearing up to tackle that issue head-on this week.
Wednesday will mark the start of the league's first-ever 'Fighting Period Poverty Round', in partnership with national charity Share the Dignity.
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As captain of the Southside Flyers, Rocci will be front and centre promoting the round and starting conversations to change the way Aussies view periods and period poverty.
"Part of my leadership is being empathetic and compassionate and helping people in needกญ any cause that's women supporting women is important," Rocci says?
"As a female athlete we face a lot of challenges, so to think that there's women out there who are struggling to put together the bare necessitiesกญ it was a no-brainer to get involved."
As part of the round, the WNBL is working to raise $25,000 for the installation of a Dignity Vending Machine in Australia, to provide period products to those in need.
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Staff, clubs, players and the wider WNBL community are also encouraged to take part in Share the Dignity's annual 'It's In The Bag' campaign and donate bags filled with essential items for women in need over the festive period.
It's a worthy cause, but Rocci will be the first to admit that one themed round isn't enough to change the heartbreaking period poverty statistics in Australia.
Education and awareness have to be priorities, and not just for girls and women but boys and men too.
"In school when we were learning about these things, boys and girls [were] split up," she says.?
"We learn about things that affect different genders, but at the end of the day, it's a problem for everyone and if we can talk about it moreกญ we can take away the stigma."
Rocci encourages men to get involved too by showing their support for the round, donating to Share the Dignity and taking part in the 'It's In The Bag' campaign.
She's hopeful that standing up as a role model and helping put an end to the shame around periods will also help keep Aussie girls in sport.
"I think it will trickle down the generations and hopefully by the time the young girls are at our stage, [period poverty] won't even be a thought," she says.
Share the Dignity works with thousands of volunteers and over 3,000 charities to provide period products to women, girls and anyone with a period who is facing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. Learn more here.
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