MIAMI, 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 Yaya Por Vida’s mural and mobile unit unveiling event on Friday, Nov. 8. The kits include condoms, emergency contraception, period products, pregnancy tests and lubricant.

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

“Sexual and reproductive health products are often overlooked when people are preparing for extreme weather events,” said Bryce Hackmeyer, president of Justice Advocacy Network. “Disasters compound barriers to reproductive healthcare, especially for marginalized communities. This is especially a problem in a state like Florida where reproductive health access is already lacking. These kits help people have what they need when disasters hit their communities”

What: Sexual health emergency preparedness kit giveaway

When: Friday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Miami IDEA Exchange, 1668 NW 7th Ave., Miami, FL 33136.

Who: The Center for Biological Diversity and Justice Advocacy Network

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 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.