In the past year, British Columbia has made significant strides in advancing menstrual equity, and we are thrilled to share an opportunity to gather to exchange knowledge and celebrate our collective accomplishments of moving towards menstrual equity.

What:
A two-day in person symposium on period poverty reduction strategies, destigmatization and distribution of menstrual supplies and education through arts-based creative jam sessions, workshops, presentations, and panel discussions. The event will provide space for champions of menstrual equity to come together in all their diversity, to exchange knowledge and celebrate recent achievements.

Who:
Community members, advocates, activists, municipal workers, business leaders, decision makers, everyday menstruators and menopausers from across BC are invited to attend. From the seasoned advocate to municipality worker learning how to implement new menstrual equity initiatives, or frontline workers with the passion but possibly not the capacity to support these initiatives, people of all skill levels and backgrounds will find something interesting at the symposium. We’d love to meet young activists or “new blood” as well as anyone interested in ending period poverty. There will also be intentional spaces for BIPOC menstruators, trans and non-binary folks, menstruators living with disabilities and a quiet space to rest and self-regulate.

When:
Friday October 20th, 2023 - 9:30AM to 4:00PM 
Saturday 21st, 2023 - 10:00AM to 4:00PM

The symposium will run over two days, a Friday and Saturday, in the hopes of accommodating different types of schedules to give a diverse range of advocates the opportunity to attend.

Where:
Douglas College, New Westminster Campus.
700 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5Z5
Douglas College respectfully acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) First Nations

Along with the intentional spaces for historically marginalised communities there will also be a social space, a creative space, a quiet space and plenty of unstructured spaces.

How to get involved:
We invite you to submit your ideas for a workshop, facilitated discussion, and creative responses (such as poetry, music, etc.). Submit your proposal by completing the online form https://forms.office.com/r/02cExv9Wt2 by end of day September 1st, 2023. For more information or alternative ways to apply email PeriodPovertyTaskForce@uwbc.ca