TABOO: breaking the silence on period poverty
A 2016 leadership conference sparked a school holiday project and business idea for best friends Isobel Marshall and Eloise Hall.
They went on to win competitions, register a company, and raise money to launch TABOO, a social enterprise that exists to end period poverty.
”Menstrual health is a cornerstone of gender equity, public health and human rights,” says Co-Founder Eloise.
”Yet around the world and here in Australia, a lack of access to period products and menstrual health education continues to undermine the dignity, health and agency of millions of girls, women and people who menstruate.
”In Australia up to 60% of people who menstruate face obstacles to period products, including financial, social and geographical barriers. Marginalised groups are overrepresented in this data.
”Period poverty leads to poor school and work attendance, health and reproductive issues, and shame and embarrassment. Research shows that it costs the Australian economy billions in missed work and education, and in treating health complications.”
TABOO sells sustainable, plastic-free period products via an online store, with a vision that “wherever there is toilet paper, there is also period care”. Profits are dedicated to eradicating period poverty through advocacy and supply of products to people who need them the most.
TABOO has recently joined Social Enterprise Australia as our first South Australian Member.
”Having previously worked with the South Australian Social Enterprise Council, I have a deep respect and excitement for the value social enterprise peak bodies can bring to the sector and individual social enterprises,” says Eloise.
”TABOO services all states and territories in Australia, in both sales and social impact. We joined Social Enterprise Australia to be active participants in conversations that support the emergence and growth of the social enterprise sector.”
