The Menstrual Equity Pilot Project (2023–2025) is a University of Waterloo initiative designed to advance gender equity, reduce stigma, and ensure free, inclusive access to menstrual products for all campus members. Led by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R), in partnership with Plant Operations and championed by the Women’s Centre, the pilot stocked 129 women’s, men’s, and all-gender washrooms with free single-use products, recognizing menstrual care as essential to well-being, dignity, and participation. Thanks to continued funding, the Menstrual Equity Pilot Project has been extended through 2026, allowing the initiative to expand its impact across campus.
Education and awareness have been central to the project, supporting engagement and distribution. In collaboration with campus partners, eight educational events reached over 200 participants, addressing topics like premenstrual dysphoric disorder, menopause, trans-inclusive menstruation, and Indigenous moon time teachings. These sessions also served as a distribution point for 300+ menstrual equity kits and 200 reusable products, supported by the Sustainability Action Fund.
A campus-wide survey of 180 respondents demonstrated a strong response to the initiative:
Feedback highlighted the program’s value in providing emergency relief, reducing financial strain, and reinforcing university values of care and inclusion. Respondents also called for products in more men’s and all-gender washrooms, greater product variety, and dispenser design improvements for accessibility issues.