P&G Tampax initiative aims to normalize period conversations and improve access to period care

Tampax, P&G leading brand in period care, has announced its commitment to normalize period conversations and enhance access to period care education. Collaborating with national partners including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Period Education Project (PEP), and Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), Tampax is spearheading the “Flow It Forward” initiative aimed at eliminating misinformation surrounding period health and ensuring equitable access to resources.

The initiative, rooted in P&G’s commitment to societal growth and welfare, aims to transform the discourse around periods and period care in three primary ways:

• Expansion of Support: Tampax continues to expand its support for organizations and individuals driving change in period education and care;
• Investment in Education: Tampax is investing in education to increase the representation of black women in healthcare professions, particularly through the Flow It Forward Scholarship program. This five-year initiative, in partnership with UNCF, provides $200,000 annually in tuition assistance for black women pursuing careers in healthcare, with the goal of bridging the racial representation gap in medicine;
• Promotion of Accurate Education: Tampax is providing tools and resources to promote accurate period and tampon education in underserved communities.

Speaking about the partnership with UNCF, Angela Van Croft, vice president of Corporate & Foundation Relations at UNCF, emphasized its significance, stating: “It helps our HBCU students afford the opportunity to continue their education by attending medical school. Specifically, it lets them know that P&G has an interest not only in their success as future doctors in this country, but also in giving them the space to be unapologetic in their efforts to improve the health and wellness of women in their community who look like them”.

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION

Through its partnership with the Period Education Project (PEP), Tampax is investing in community-focused programs to provide medically accurate reproductive health and period education in underserved communities. Dr. Trish Hutchison, co-founder and executive director of PEP, highlighted the impact of this collaboration, stating: “PEP’s efforts have reached over 3,000 youth and are breaking down barriers to menstrual health education”.

In a recent event, PEP reached thousands of young female leaders at the Girls Inc. Annual Leadership Conference “Elevate Her Essence”, distributing thousands of tampons and pads and conducting demonstrations to educate girls and women on period-care regimens.

ADDRESSING MENSTRUAL HEALTH INEQUITIES

Tampax’s partnership with the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) aimed to address menstrual health inequities through initiatives such as My Sister’s Keeper and Positive Period programs. Zsanai Epps, senior director of Reproductive Justice Initiatives at BWHI, noted the impact of these programs in creating a safe space for students to discuss reproductive health issues and advocate for themselves while reducing stigma and insecurities surrounding menstruation.

“Through this programming, students have a safe space to talk about their periods, reproductive health issues, and how to advocate for themselves while changing their negative attitudes about their bodies; reducing stigma and menstrual insecurities”, Epps said.

INSIGHTS FROM GENZ

Tampax’s Flow It Forward initiative is informed by insights from GenZ girls and women. A survey conducted by Tampax revealed that 68% of GenZ women and girls reported receiving little or no period education before their periods began.

“At Tampax, we know a thing or two about flow”, said Lauren B. Worley, communications director at Tampax. “We are dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals to continue to help flow change forward in a meaningful way”.