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Menstrual Equity at Waterloo

At the University of Waterloo, menstruation is a part of everyday life for many students, faculty, and staff. That makes access to safe menstrual products and trusted resources essential for full participation in academic, work, and campus life. But stigma and silence around menstruation continue to create barriers—preventing people from accessing support, speaking openly, or learning more about this natural process.

In response, UWaterloo launched the Menstrual Equity Pilot Program in 2023. This campus-wide initiative provides free and safe access to menstrual products in bathrooms across campus for those who menstruate. Rooted in dignity and inclusion, the program aims to reduce barriers, normalize conversations about menstruation, and support the health and well-being of the campus community.

A key part of menstrual equity is challenging traditional assumptions. While menstruation is often framed as a women’s issue, it is not exclusive to any one gender identity. Advancing equity means recognizing this diversity and ensuring that everyone who menstruates is supported—with dignity, respect, and care.
To track progress and guide future efforts, the Menstrual Equity 2023–2025 Report outlines the scope and impact of the pilot program. It shares insights from community engagement and evaluation and provides recommendations for creating a campus culture that truly prioritizes health, equity, and inclusion.

The Menstrual Equity Pilot Program is a collaboration between the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) and Plant Operations, made possible through the sustained advocacy and leadership of the Women’s Centre. This work has also been shaped by the efforts of many individuals and groups across campus, including (but not limited to) the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), the Graduate Student Association (GSA), the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Math, the School of Pharmacy, Health Promotion, Athletics, and the Office of Advancement. Together, these partners continue to build momentum toward a more equitable and inclusive UWaterloo.

Why is menstrual equity important?

Every month, an estimated 1.8 billion people menstruate (UNICEF). A 2018 Canadian gender study survey on Period Stigma by Plan International Canada found that of Canadian women under the age of 25:  

  • 33% say they have struggled to afford menstrual products  
  • 86% have found themselves unprepared when their period started  
  • 70% say they have missed school or work or have withdrawn from fully participating in social activities because of their period.” 

Menstrual equity is a vital part of ensuring campus community members have the necessary products they need to be well, as they study, work, and participate fully in campus life.

Where can I find menstrual products?

This list  includes all the washrooms on campus which will have free pads and tampons. Please check back for updated locations.

There are also a variety of locations on campus outside of washrooms that continue to provide menstrual products when stocked, including The Women’s Centre.

Is there a cost to the products?

No, there is no cost to using these products. 

Why are there products in men’s washrooms?

We want to ensure that anyone who menstruates can access products when they need them, which includes people who use the men’s washrooms. If you do not use these products, you can just leave them undisturbed.

What should I do if I notice a dispenser is damaged?

If you notice one of the menstrual dispensers is damaged, please email pltops.maintenance@uwaterloo.ca. You will need to provide the building and room number in the subject and a specific description of the problem in the body of the email.

What should I do if a dispenser is empty?

You will see stickers on the dispensers with a QR code that links back to the washrooms that have products so you can see the next nearest washroom that contains products. Products will be restocked every night during the week.

Why is this project a pilot?

This is the first time the University has provided free menstrual products in washrooms. The purpose of the pilot is to assess demand, usage and costs to inform a longer term strategy for this initiative.

What else is part of the menstrual equity strategy?

In addition to providing free products in washrooms, the Equity Unit will be exploring options for sustainable products and will be partnering with others on campus to destigmatize menstruation and raise awareness about key issues including menstrual health and period poverty.

If you have questions about this project, please contact us through our intake form. For questions about menstrual products in the washrooms, please contact pltops.maintenance@uwaterloo.ca.

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