The national housing and homeless charity is the official Irish partner of DivaCup, the leading menstrual cup brand in the world.

The partnership will donate 100 menstrual cups to women living in Peter McVerry Trust homeless services each year, along with training on how to use and clean the product.

Kare Cosmetics, an award-winning Irish distribution company, distributes DivaCup to Irish stockists and works with the company on their charitable work within the country. The company is matching DivaCup’s yearly donation of 50 cups to Peter McVerry Trust.

Menstrual cups are an environmentally responsible, reusable period product – tackling the environmental impact and cost of periods simultaneously.

The Period Poverty in Ireland report released in February found that up to 85,000 individuals are at risk of period poverty, while highlighting that those experiencing homelessness and living in refuges are most significantly affected.

The menstrual cups will be provided to women living in Peter McVerry Trust homeless accommodation services – including their women only emergency accommodation, U18s residential homes and family homeless hubs.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said, “Considering the current environmental and cost of living crisis – this partnership is very timely and greatly welcomed. We look forward to working with Kare Cosmetics and DivaCup to bring this innovative and sustainable period product to our clients. It has the power to change the lives of 100 women in our services each year.”

A spokesperson for Kare Cosmetics said period poverty in Ireland “is only going to get worse” with inflation.

“With these individuals using a DivaCup it will allow them to have more comfortable periods without the need to purchase products anymore. A much more sustainable and long-term solution.”