Breaking the Cycle
Source: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition / Unsplash.
For many students, balancing academic responsibilities with financial pressures is already a challenging feat. But for some, an added burden can go unnoticed – period poverty. The inability to afford basic necessities such as menstrual products can disrupt the lives of those already struggling, forcing them to prioritise some essentials over others.
Period poverty is not just about the cost of products, it’s about access. On university campuses, where the expectation is that students thrive academically, the reality is some are missing out on classes or work due to a lack of menstrual supplies.
At the University of Canterbury, efforts have been made in recent years to address the accessibility of period products, but gaps remain. The availability and awareness of these resources can make a significant difference in ensuring that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, can fully participate in university life without being held back by something as basic as menstrual health.
The Student Wellbeing team at UC has started an initiative to distribute period products campus-wide. Staff volunteers stock bathrooms around campus, and advise the team when specific bathrooms are running low on stock. This system is meant to ensure that students and staff have reliable access to menstrual products – though there are some challenges.
One obstacle highlighted by the Wellbeing team is restricted access to certain gendered bathrooms, limiting where some volunteers can restock. Having enough volunteers to cover all locations is another issue.
In 2023, the Wellbeing team conducted a feedback survey about this service. The response from students highlighted the critical role that free period products play in alleviating stress and anxiety. More recent feedback also emphasised the desire for products available in male bathrooms.
However, demand has been so strong that items in certain locations deplete quickly. According to the Wellbeing team, there have been instances where individuals have ‘taken more than they strictly need,’ impacting availability until a volunteer can restock.
But this raises an important question: what constitutes more than someone needs?
For some, the need may not be immediate. The reasons for taking extra products cited by students were to stock up for future cycles, or even helping friends and family who do not have access to the same products. It’s difficult to determine what an ‘acceptable’ amount looks like, as the line between ensuring personal security and perceived overuse, blurs. Rather than framing this behaviour as misuse, it may point to a greater need for support and availability of period products across campus.
Though this initiative is still relatively new, UC has shown a willingness to adapt and evolve based on student feedback. The Wellbeing team is currently piloting a programme to provide reusable period products, including menstrual cups and period underwear, through UC support services.
While there has been no extensive research conducted by the university into the demand for period products, they remain open to suggestions from students, who are encouraged to contact the Wellbeing team.
On a greater scale, wider initiatives have emerged to ensure the accessibility of menstrual products both nationally and globally. Here in Aotearoa, organisations such as Dignity NZ have been established to deliver accessible and sustainable period products. In 2023 alone, Dignity gifted over 200,000 individual products and partnered with approximately 380 organisations across the country. This effort underscores the growing recognition of period poverty as a significant public health issue.
Other not-for-profit organisations such as Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (SWA) provide other services regarding period inequality. SWA offers advice, contraception, and pain prescriptions. For New Zealand residents under 22, or eligible for subsidised healthcare, appointments are free, which helps alleviate some of the financial burdens of menstrual healthcare.
However, the impact of these initiatives cannot be fully realised without addressing the systemic barriers contributing to period poverty. Economic, gender, and racial inequality are all contributors towards period poverty. Inadequate healthcare access exacerbates these barriers, particularly for marginalised communities such as Māori, Pasifika, and disabled people, who often face additional challenges in accessing affordable healthcare. While providing products is an important aspect, it is not the only one. Equally important is the de-stigmatisation of menstrual health.
Resources such as the ‘What about Me?’ course provided by Period Health NZ, which supplies information about understanding menstrual health has been implemented into school programmes since 1998. This resource, like others, fosters meaningful dialogue about menstrual health and wellbeing from an early age. Education campaigns that promote open discussions about menstruation and the struggles of period product accessibility can also help break down barriers that make it difficult for people to seek assistance.
Education is a crucial step towards de-stigmatisation, however, there is also a need to advocate for policy change. Discussions calling for the removal of GST on period products and the implementation of comprehensive health education are already happening across the country, reflecting how menstrual products should be considered a necessity rather than a luxury.