by ACN Media Officer Jessica Pham
The Australian College of Nursing has always been a proud supporter and advocator for equality for all regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious beliefs, income, education or where they choose to live.
For International Women’s Day this year, the staff at ACN decided to put our words into action and team up with a worthy cause that aligns with our objectives – so we decided on Share the Dignity.
The national charity collects personal hygiene products, including pads and tampons, for women experiencing homelessness and poverty, as well as helping to fund funerals for victims of domestic violence and campaign for justice for Australian women.
Sharron Smyth-Demmon, one of ACN’s Sydney nurse educators, helmed ACN’s involvement in the project and said she was inspired to reach out after reading about Sali Hughes – a beauty writer in the UK – and the work she was doing.
“She’s involved with a campaign that organises donations of toiletries and sanitary items for food banks to help women in need. I thought that there would be something similar here and I discovered Share the Dignity, a charity for women in crisis.
Menstruation affects many women. Vulnerable women have to make choices that most of us don’t. We choose what to buy for lunch. They may have to choose whether or not to buy food or sanitary items. That’s not a choice they should have to make. Imagine how that would make you feel, what that would do to your self-esteem, how that would limit your daily activities, how you would do your laundry, even – there’s no dignity in that.
International Women’s Day seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about this charity and the staff at ACN have been extremely generous with their support. Both offices have amassed a large amount of items that will go to help young girls and women in need. It’s something small for us but I hope that it makes a big difference to a girl or woman in need, and I hope it sends a message that there are people out there who care about them. It’s also started lots of conversations, which I think is important, too.”
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report released last month found that domestic and family violence is the main reason why people access homelessness services, with women who are Indigenous, young or pregnant being deemed the most vulnerable. Some of the other key findings from the Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia, 2018 report were:
– More than 40 per cent of homeless people are aged under 25 years old;
– 1 in 3 people seeking help are escaping violence – most of them are single mothers with children;
– On average, one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner.
We are proud to support such an important initiative that believes no woman should have to choose between buying food or sanitary products.
– More than 40% of homeless people are aged under 25 years old;
– 1 in 3 people seeking help are escaping violence – most of them are single mothers with children;
– On average, one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner.
We are proud to support such an important initiative that believes no woman should have to choose between buying food or sanitary products.
For more information about Share the Dignity, visit their website: https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/#
For more information about the AIHW: https://www.aihw.gov.au/
