JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity, Justice Advocacy Network, Jax Period Pantry and Central Florida Mutual Aid will give away sexual and reproductive health emergency preparedness kits at the Jacksonville Really, Really Free Market on Saturday, Sept. 7. The kits include condoms, emergency contraception, period products, pregnancy tests and lubricant.

The kits are being distributed during FEMA Emergency Preparedness Month to highlight the importance of preparing for sexual and reproductive health disruptions during extreme weather events.

“Including family planning and period supplies in your preparedness kit is rarely mentioned,” said Kelley Dennings, a campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These items help people get ready for climate-fueled severe weather emergencies. Family planning is a climate change solution, so the kits can play a part in mitigating these events, too.”

The kits are being distributed at Really, Really Free Markets to highlight the need to support community mutual aid in preparing for disasters and following extreme weather events.

“Sharing sexual health items through initiatives like the Really, Really Free Market empowers our community to be proactive in all aspects of emergency preparedness,” said Lizzy Serrano, the facilitator of Jacksonville’s Really, Really Free Market. “By ensuring access to essential supplies, we foster resilience and support the well-being of everyone, especially during times of crisis.”

What: Sexual health emergency preparedness kit giveaway

When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 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 available.

Who: Center for Biological Diversity, Jacksonville’s Really, Really Free Market and Jax Period Pantry

Background

Project Drawdown, an international climate change think tank, lists women’s health and education — including getting to choose if and when to start a family — as top climate change solutions. Extreme weather events can disrupt services and limit access to abortions, birth control and menstrual hygiene products, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy and making it harder for vulnerable people to recover from storms.

The climate crisis has a disproportionate impact on women and gender-diverse people, but their voices are often left out of climate and emergency preparedness plans, even as fossil fuel-driven severe weather events become more frequent. Sexual health emergency preparedness kits are designed to fill this gap, as well as highlight the need for individuals and communities to consider these items in their own emergency preparations.