Ensuring everyone is
afforded the dignity
so many of us take
for granted. Share the
Dignity’s work directly
benefits women in crisis.
EVERY.
SINGLE.
DAY.
Since 2015, Share the Dignity has
become a widely known women’s
charity that makes a real, grass
roots difference to homeless
women and victims of domestic
violence. Acquiring over $20million
dollars’ worth and surpassing
the 1 million packet mark, the
organisation collects thousands
of pads, tampons and personal
hygiene products every year for
women experiencing homelessness
and poverty. Small dignities making
a big difference.
The success of Share the Dignity
relies heavily on collaboration, team
work and those who are willing
to put their hand up to get the job
done. Volunteers are known as
‘Sheros’ and Rochelle makes it very
clear that without these women
and men there would absolutely be
no chance to end period poverty.
Sheros can be found in every corner
of the country and they passionate,
hardworking people ensuring the
collection and distribution of much
needed sanitary items to women
in crisis. Share the Dignity is an
all-inclusive charity, not only does
it support the women receiving
the help, but also the women
volunteering. It is the type of
organisation that comes full circle,
with many recipients of goods often
donating back to the organisation
themselves when they can.
Rochelle is particularly proud of
one incredibly important initiative,
the Pinkbox Dignity Vending
Machine. The Pinkboxes have been
engineered to enable easy and free
access to pads and tampons to
the most vulnerable women and
girls. Pinkbox vending machines
have been put in public toilets,
charities, homeless hubs, domestic
violence refuges, community
centres, Aboriginal health services
and schools across Australia. With
already 40 Pinkbox machines
installed, Rochelle and her team are
on track to set up another 20 by the
end of the year. This is no mean feat
considering each machine costs
$9,000 to build and install.
At its core, Share the Dignity
aims to empower even the most
disadvantaged women and girls to
live a life of dignity and safety. What
started as a local collection and
distribution of pads and tampons
has grown to so much more. Share
the Dignity has multiple initiatives
that aid women and children. With
multiple events held throughout the
year providing awareness and much
needed funds.
Not only is Rochelle the face of
Share the Dignity but she has used
her position and voice to spearhead
a national campaign to ‘Axe the
Tax’ on sanitary items. Since
the GST was introduced in 2010,
tampons and pads have been taxed
as a luxury item. Taking the case
straight to Canberra, Rochelle has
met and spoken with high profile
politicians to make her point heard.
If passed through Government, the
‘tampon tax’ will spare consumers
$30 million per year but