The concept of period poverty encapsulates the social, economic, political and cultural barriers to menstrual products, education and sanitation. It results in a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management or a combination of these. Globally, 500 million people who menstruate lack access to menstrual products. In the Netherlands, 10% of young women frequently struggle to afford sanitary pads or tampons for menstruation. 14.2% of college-aged individuals experience period poverty, and this statistic has worsened dramatically in the past two years, due to how COVID-19 has amplified economic strains on students. Lack of access to menstrual products is not simply an issue for individuals who cannot afford them, it is also a problem for individuals who have forgotten their products or have their periods unexpectedly (which accounts for a large majority of people who menstruate). As a result of this, there is an undeniable impact on individuals' education and wellbeing if there is consistent financial and emotional stress caused by something out of their control.
In response to these challenges, the 020 encourages students at the UvA to sign this petition to call for free, accessible menstruation products for all students. "Menstrual hygiene products are necessities, and the inability to access them affects a student's freedom to study, be healthy, and participate in society with dignity". We strongly believe access to menstruation products is a fundamental human right, thus they should be accessible to everyone. We want to ease financial burdens on students, and we want to fight the taboo relating to the shame associated with menstruation.
Our idea spawns from following the footsteps of several other educational institutions in the Netherlands that have successfully made menstruation products accessible to all. If Erasmus University and Vrije University Amsterdam can make menstruation products free and accessible to all students, so can the University of Amsterdam.
Please sign below to show support,
Best regards,
020.
