MacEwan University now offers free menstrual hygiene products in various washrooms on campus.
Inspired by the City of Edmonton's recent initiative, MacEwan community members expressed to the Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity (OHRDE) their interest in providing the same for the campus community.
"MacEwan is committed to making our campus accessible and inclusive for all," says Irfan Chaudhry, director of the OHRDE. "Providing these products for free is important to ensure we are supporting the needs of our campus community."
Having the products available on campus for free is still in the pilot stage as Campus Services continues to evaluate usage and maintenance to become better informed about how to make this an ongoing project.
According to a recent study by Plan International Canada with Always, one in seven young people with periods struggled to get period products during COVID-19 and one in seven worried about their ongoing ability to afford them.
"Providing free menstrual hygiene products on campus ultimately creates a more supportive, thriving community," says Sydney Bennell, registered nurse and health promotion specialist in Wellness and Psychological Services. "We are working to address the stigma around periods by having the products more visible, alleviate the financial burden people with periods face and provide an essential product to our community."
Bennell adds that offering free menstrual hygiene products to students can reduce the stress of being caught without a product and lessen the financial burden of having to choose between essential items. "These products should not be considered a luxury to have — they are a must-have to live."
Available washrooms include:
- Building 5: 5-148B
- Building 6: 6-120, 6-200D, 6-160A
- Building 7: 7-123, 7-134B, 7-290D, 7-290B
- Building 8 (Sport and Wellness Centre): 8-147E
- Robbins Health Learning Building: 9-100J, 9-212B
- Allard Hall: 11-2W1, 11-2W3