Instigated by charity organisation Share the Dignity, the initiative seeks to provide the basic essentials for women and girls in crisis by making a call out for pads, tampons and personal hygiene products to distribute to women nationwide.

Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay said it helps in a small way to alleviate the undignified situations thousands of women have to endure.

“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them,” she said. “Many mothers have to choose between buying tampons and feeding their children. Girls miss out on school simply because families cannot afford to buy the basics.”

“When they can’t have access to essential feminine products, women become extremely resourceful – using wadded up newspaper, or toilet paper, or socks. This should not be happening.”

Look for the pink collection box, and next time you visit the Bellingen Pharmacy, consider buying an extra packet to donate to a woman in need.

For more information, see www.sharethedignity.com.au