Many students, faculty and staff on our campus menstruate, making access to safe menstrual products and trusted resources crucial to be able to study, work and fully participate in campus life. We recognize that often conversations on menstruation solely centre women – and while many women do menstruate – menstruation is not exclusive to any one gender identity.
The Menstrual Equity project at UWaterloo was developed to provide products to whoever needs access to them in safe, accessible ways that protect their dignity, while also raising awareness with the goal of reducing stigma around menstruation.
With educational opportunities that include ongoing lunch and learn sessions and workshops, along with equipping 129 gendered and all gender washrooms across campus with free menstrual products, the project is now seeking feedback from the campus community. The feedback will help us to improve future offerings and understand the impact of this project. Complete the form today!
The Menstrual Equity project was a collaboration between the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) and Plant Operations, and has been made possible by the sustained advocacy and work of the Women’s Centre.
We are grateful to the numerous other individual advocates and groups who have contributed to this important project including, but not exhaustively, the Women’s Centre, 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.
Why is Menstrual Equity important?
Menstrual equity promotes health and wellbeing. Without access to safe menstrual products, people who menstruate may resort to using unsafe materials to manage their periods. Lack of access to menstrual products can also lead to missed school or work, social exclusion, and compromised health.
Menstrual equity helps to break down these stigmas about menstruation. Menstruation is often stigmatized, which can lead to shame and embarrassment for people who menstruate. Period stigma and a lack of education about menstruation can prevent people who menstruate from accessing products or participating in normal activities during their period. This can have long-lasting negative effects on their education, health, and overall well-being.
Menstrual equity can be a crucial element of gender equity work – as we aim to make our campus safer for all gender identities.
Part of menstrual equity work is promoting a broader awareness of the spectrum of people who have periods and the systems of oppression that can impact access to menstrual products.
This includes considering the impacts of the intersections of race, class, ability (etc.) on the menstrual equity work we do, and creating space for those who are often left out of the conversation about menstruation – including campus community members who are Two-Spirit, trans men, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender fluid.
Existing stigma around menstruation is often exacerbated by sexism, but also by transphobia and cis-normativity, and so the work of menstrual equity involves the promotion of a deeper understanding of menstruation with the aim of reducing stigma on all who menstruate.
Menstrual equity ensures that people who menstruate have access to menstrual products. Safe menstrual products are often unaffordable for low-income individuals. Menstruation is not a choice, and people who menstruate should not be financially penalized for a natural bodily function.
Mindfulness for Menstrual Health
Join us for a 90-minute mindfulness meditation session and embark on an intimate journey through your body; discover a new way to connect with and care for yourself during this time.