JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Jax Period Pantry will give away sexual and reproductive health emergency preparedness kits at the Jacksonville Really, Really Free Market on Saturday, May 2.
The free kits are being distributed to highlight the importance of preparing for sexual and reproductive health disruptions during wildfires, hurricanes and other extreme weather events. Each kit includes condoms, emergency contraception, period products, pregnancy tests and lubricant.
“Floridians regularly deal with extreme weather, but most people forget to bring reproductive health items in emergencies. These free kits will help folks be ready,” said Kelley Dennings, a campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’ve got hurricanes and now wildfire smoke, so it’s never been more important to be prepared.”
“The right to have children in a safe and healthy environment is key to reproductive and climate justice,” said Ariel Salgado, coordinator of the Jax Period Pantry. “Handing out free family planning and period supplies helps ensure reproductive justice even during climate emergencies.”
What: Sexual health emergency preparedness kit giveaway
Who: The Center for Biological Diversity and Jax Period Pantry. Kit artwork and packing supported by Beauty Junkie.
When: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Jacksonville’s Really, Really Free Market. Memorial Park, 1620 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204 (right side of park if facing the river). Street parking is available.
Background
Extreme weather events can disrupt services and limit access to abortions, birth control and menstrual hygiene products. This increases the risk of unintended pregnancy and can make it harder for vulnerable people to recover from the event.
The climate crisis harms us all but has a disproportionate effect on women and gender-diverse people. Their voices are often left out of climate and emergency preparedness plans, even as climate-fueled severe weather events become more frequent because of human-caused climate change. Sexual health emergency preparedness kits are designed to fill this gap, as well as highlight the need for people and communities to consider these kinds of items in their own emergency preparations.
