Understanding the challenges, exploring the evidence and developing practical solutions for better period-care experiences.
At TidzBiz, we’re working towards something bigger than a period-care product.
Our vision is to develop period-care kits, educational resources and practical solutions that consider accessibility, cultural identity and the different needs of individuals and communities.
But developing a product with purpose requires more than a good idea.
It requires understanding the challenges people experience, considering the evidence already available and recognising where further learning is needed.
That’s why research and evidence-informed development have become an important part of the TidzBiz journey.
Understanding the Challenges Around Period Care
Access to menstrual products is not the same for everyone.
Affordability, geographical location, access to education, infrastructure and cultural considerations can all influence how people manage menstruation.
In June 2024, the Australian Government announced a $12.5 million investment over four years to improve access to menstrual products in remote First Nations communities.
The funding was awarded to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to support a community-led distribution program.
At the time of the announcement, the Australian Government reported that a packet of pads could cost approximately $15–$25 in some remote communities, compared with approximately $10–$15 in metropolitan areas.
The announcement also recognised that difficulties accessing menstrual products can affect participation in school, employment and community activities.
These figures highlight why access to period care deserves continued attention.
For TidzBiz, they also reinforce the importance of considering affordability, availability and distribution when developing a product intended to meet practical needs.
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, June 2024.
What Australian Research Tells Us
A 2019 paper published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Women’s Health explored menstrual health and hygiene challenges affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and women.
The publication, Menstrual health and hygiene among Indigenous Australian girls and women: barriers and opportunities, brought together existing research and insights from discussions involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women leaders, stakeholders and researchers.
It identified several important areas requiring attention, including:
Affordability and access to menstrual products.
Access to menstrual health knowledge and culturally sensitive education.
Infrastructure and supply-chain challenges.
The importance of Indigenous leadership and community-driven research.
The authors also highlighted the need for further research to better understand menstrual health experiences across different communities.
These findings provide useful considerations for organisations developing products, educational resources and services in this area.
They also reinforce an important point: menstrual health challenges cannot always be addressed through product availability alone.
Source: Krusz et al., BMC Women’s Health, 2019.
Using Research to Inform Our Development
At TidzBiz, we’re using available research and evidence to help guide our product development and business planning.
Our work to date has included reviewing information relating to menstrual health, accessibility, sensory experience, product standards and compliance considerations.
This process is helping us identify questions that need to be considered before products are introduced to the market.
Rather than assuming one product or approach will suit everyone, we’re exploring how different needs can influence the design and presentation of period-care products.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Accessibility is an important consideration in our development process.
People may have different requirements when it comes to understanding product information, opening packaging, selecting products or managing their periods.
For young people experiencing their first period, clear information and practical guidance may be particularly valuable.
We’re considering how product presentation, packaging and educational resources can be designed with these different needs in mind.
This includes exploring sensory considerations, language, readability and the overall experience of receiving and using a period-care kit.
Our aim is to develop an approach that considers accessibility from the beginning, while recognising that further feedback and evaluation will be important as our products progress.
Cultural Identity and Connection
Cultural identity is central to the vision behind TidzBiz.
Our brand has been developed with an appreciation for women’s business, intergenerational knowledge and the important role families and communities can play in supporting young people.
This connection is reflected in our brand identity and the artwork developed for TidzBiz.
It also informs how we’re thinking about the future direction of our educational resources.
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are diverse, with different experiences, cultural practices and priorities.
For this reason, we believe meaningful engagement and ongoing learning are important when considering how products and resources may be used in different communities.
Education and Understanding
Access to accurate menstrual health information is an important part of supporting people who menstruate.
UNICEF identifies four interconnected areas in its approach to menstrual health and hygiene: social support, knowledge and skills, facilities and services, and access to menstrual products and supporting supplies.
This framework demonstrates why menstrual health requires consideration beyond the products themselves.
For TidzBiz, education is an important part of our proposed product offering.
We’re developing resources intended to support young people in understanding menstruation, using period products and accessing practical information.
Our intention is to create resources that can complement conversations between young people, families, carers, educators and health professionals.
Source: UNICEF, Menstrual Hygiene.
Considering the Entire Period-Care Experience
One of the key principles guiding TidzBiz is that a period-care kit should be considered as a complete experience.
The products inside the kit are important.
But so are the instructions, packaging, educational materials and the way the products are accessed.
This has influenced our decision to explore a product range that includes Tween and Teen period-care kits, alongside replenishment options.
We’re considering how an initial kit could introduce young people to essential period-care products and information, while replenishment options could provide a practical way to access products over time.
These concepts remain part of our product development and commercial planning.
Our goal is to create a product offering that considers both the immediate needs of the person receiving it and the practical requirements of ongoing access.
Building a Sustainable Business Model
For TidzBiz, developing a meaningful product also means considering how the business can operate sustainably.
Research and development are helping inform not only our product decisions but also our proposed supply and distribution model.
We’re exploring several potential pathways.
Direct-to-consumer
Tween and Teen period-care kits intended for individuals and families.
Institutional supply
Potential supply arrangements with health services, schools, community organisations, government agencies and other service providers.
Replenishment
Ongoing access to period-care products beyond the initial kit.
Education and community engagement
Educational resources and opportunities to explore future community-based programs in collaboration with relevant organisations.
These pathways form part of our developing business strategy.
By considering different purchasing and distribution environments, we’re working towards a model that could support both individual customers and organisational requirements.
We recognise that establishing these pathways will require further planning, supplier arrangements, partnerships and operational development.
Why Community Input Matters
Published research provides an important starting point, but it cannot tell us everything about the needs of every individual or community.
The 2019 Australian research emphasised the importance of Indigenous leadership and community-driven approaches when investigating menstrual health challenges.
We recognise that these principles are particularly relevant when considering products and educational resources intended for First Nations communities.
As TidzBiz develops, we want to continue learning from the people and organisations who may use, distribute or support our products.
This includes exploring opportunities for feedback, collaboration and community-informed development.
We also recognise the importance of reviewing our approach as new information becomes available.
Research can help inform the questions we ask. Meaningful engagement can help us better understand how those questions apply in practice.
Creating Something With Purpose
TidzBiz is still in an important stage of development.
We’re researching, planning, refining our products and exploring how our vision can become a practical and sustainable business.
We don’t claim to have all the answers.
What we do have is a commitment to approaching the development process thoughtfully, considering available evidence and being open to learning along the way.
Our vision is to create period-care products and educational resources that reflect the importance of accessibility, cultural identity, practical support and informed decision-making.
Because we believe period care should be about more than the products themselves.
It should also consider the person receiving them, their circumstances and the support they may need.
And that’s why we’re taking a research-led approach from the very beginning.
Be Part of the TidzBiz Journey
TidzBiz is currently developing its period-care product range and exploring opportunities to connect with individuals, organisations and potential partners.
We welcome expressions of interest from health services, schools, government departments, community organisations, youth services, out-of-home care providers and other organisations interested in learning more.
Whether you’re interested in our products, future partnerships or the development of our educational resources, we’d love to hear from you.
