Solent Students' Union are now offering free period products on campus, thanks to VP Education, Stefania David.
What is period poverty?
Period Poverty, an issue which affects many globally, refers to the lack of access given to sanitary products and hygiene facilities. It also encompasses the stigma that periods are associated with uncleanliness and shame, as well as the lack of education surrounding menstruation.
Those who experience period poverty struggle to purchase the products they need for their period. This can lead to them being unable to go to school or work, and participating in daily life can be made more challenging.
For those who struggling from period poverty, it can create many challenges. Due to the stigma surrounding menstruation, many people can become shameful of having a period, stopping them from talking about it.
When talking about periods and menstruating, it's important to remember: not all menstrators are women, and not all women menstrate.
Aim of campaign
- To support all students who menstruate
- To take away the stress of student's worrying about if they need to cut back on a food shop or not buy period products this month
*ask Stefania for more details
What this means for our students
*ask Stefania for more details
Accessing the products
Go With The Flow vending machines with the organic and sustainable Grace & Green pads and tampons will be available in the following areas:
- Ground floor of The Spark in the female, male and disabled toilets
- Ground floor of Solent Library in the disabled toilets
Baskets with the same period products will be available in other bathrooms across the university.
The products are available to all students, staff and visitors to the university and is a great step to tackling period poverty on campus.
Sustainable periods
As part of our camapign, as well as making period products more easily accessible, we also wanted them to be more sustainable. That is why we decided to supply organic and sustainable period products.
The term 'sustainable periods' refers to the process of actively engaging in reducing the amount of waste your period makes. Instead, oppting for an eco-friendly period brand/product helps to reduce waste, slow down climate change and helps decrease your carbon footprint. In practice, for some this could be wearing period pants, using a menstrual cup, or switching to reusable pads or a more sustainable pad or tampon brand. As part of our camapign, we are supplying organic and sustainable period products.
Inclusive periods
When talking about periods and menstruating, it's important to remember: not all menstrators are women, and not all women menstrate.
Menstruation is a biological function; however, people tend to refer to only women and girls when disucssing periods. This saddly exludes those who do not identify as women but that do menstruate, for example, trans men, non-binary, gender fluid and intersex people. This restrictive language also isolates those who are women do not menstruate, due to meopause, stress, disease or a hysterectomy.
Need refilling?
If you spot any empty baskets or vending machines, please let the Students' Union know as soon as possible by popping into our office (next to East Park Deli) or by emailing students.union@solent.ac.uk.
Useful websites
Hey Girls - Established in 2018 by Celia and her two daughters Kate and Bec, Hey Girls is an multi-award-winning community-centered company. They work withover 150 community partners, helping to provide them with periods products, for those vulnerable of facing period poverty.
Freedom4Girls - Freedom4Girls is a UK-registered charity who support those who menstruate, by fighting against the challenges that stigma, taboos and gender equalities bring.
Period Poverty UK - Hoping to elimate period poverty in Britian's most deprived communities by 2025, Period Poverty UK helps support women in crisis have access to period products during their period.
Bloody Good Period - Bloody Good Period help fight period poverty by providing period products to those who cannot afford them, as well as providing menstruation health education to those who are unable to access it. They also encourage everyone to just talk about periods!