Menstrual products are standard equipment.
Basic essentials.
Source: UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), Menstrual Health
THE GAP
Around 800 million women and girls menstruate every day. Yet menstrual products are still not routinely available in many public spaces, workplaces, airports, hotels, accommodation facilities, conference centres.
Progress is happening. Standard provision is not.
Missing Standard Service
WomenPeriod starts with a simple proposition: menstrual products are basic essentials and should be available as part of standard service provision.No girl or woman should be left without access to menstrual products when she needs them.Our ambition is to turn individual good practices into a widely adopted standard.
WHAT WE WANT TO CHANGE
From optional amenity to standard equipment.Menstrual products should be routinely available where people spend their time — at work, while travelling, staying in accommodation, attending events and using public services.Not as an extra. As a basic essential.
REAL EXPERIENCES. REAL SERVICE GAPS
These are experiences shared with WomenPeriod. Different places, different circumstances — the same basic service gap.
EVERYTHING, EXCEPT MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS“As a corporate trainer, I got my period earlier than expected. The hotel room had everything except pads or tampons. Reception had nothing either. I went out while already bleeding heavily, using toilet paper to help me out. I couldn't buy anything because I had no local currency and cards weren't accepted. In the end, I asked the women participating in my training. One had one pad. She saved me. Another women went out of the training and got me pads and tampons.This is when I decided to start the initiative.”
AT SCHOOL"It happened during the school day.My daughter got her period unexpectedly. No menstrual products in the bathroom. No dispenser. No simple way to deal with something completely normal. So she ran through the school, trying to find a friend who might have a pad. Trying not to be noticed. Hoping nobody will notice the blood that was already visible on her pants. She was afraid to miss too much of her lesson, and how to explain to the teacher what she did instead of being on time....And somewhere in the middle of all that, there was embarrassment, anxiety.We tell our daughters to be confident, independent and ambitious. We encourage them to study, participate and succeed.But why do we still leave them running through school corridors looking for something as basic as a menstrual products?"
IN TRANSIT“I got my period while transiting through an airport. No menstrual products in the transit zone, none on the plane. I had to ask random women if they could help me out. And I bleed heavily. Worst experience ever.”
TOOTHPASTE, SLIPPERS, SEWING KITS...BUT NO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS?“As a frequent traveller, this increasingly frustrates me. Hotels provide dental kits, vanity kits, sewing kits, slippers, shower caps and complimentary toiletries. 5 stars hotels usually don´t have menstrual products, and conference centres as well. Airports sell everything from luxury goods and electronics to snacks and travel accessories. Yet menstrual products can still be surprisingly difficult to find.”
DOUBLE STANDARDS AT WORK
"I work in a public sector institution. An institution that promotes good governance, organisational improvement and better public services.
Yet something as basic as providing menstrual products in the workplace has not become part of our everyday reality.
It is not that the need is unknown. It is simply that there are always other priorities and reluctance to acknowledge this basic need.
And that is precisely what frustrates me.
We discuss innovation, digitalisation, AI, inclusion, employee well-being and human-centred organisations. But somehow, a basic human need is still missing from the conversation about what a modern workplace should provide.
I don't expect special treatment. I expect menstrual products to be treated as ordinary workplace essentials."Same experience, different angle:“I visit offices that are shiny and modern: art on the walls, craft beer in the fridge, table tennis, pinball machines and what not. And, wait for it: zero menstrual products in the toilets.”
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
We want to connect with organisations and decision-makers that can implement this change directly, influence standards and help scale access across sectors, including:* Hospitality and accommodation: Hotels, hostels, resorts and other accommodation providers, as well as hospitality and accommodation associations;* Travel, transport and mobility: Airports, airlines, railway and bus operators, train and bus stations, public transport providers, passenger transport authorities and relevant industry associations;* Travel and booking platforms: Booking, accommodation, travel and mobility platforms that can influence expectations and industry standards;* Workplaces and events: Public- and private-sector employers, workplace networks, conference centres, event venues and event organisers;* Education: Universities, schools, student residences and other educational and training institutions;* Healthcare: Hospitals, healthcare centres, clinics and other public and private health institutions;* Governments and public authorities: National, regional and local governments, public administrations, public service providers, cities and municipalities;* European and international institutions: EU institutions and bodies, international organisations and development partners;* Civil society and NGOs: Non-governmental organisations, foundations, community organisations, advocacy groups and networks working in gender equality, health, human rights, inclusion and social justice;* Policy and standard-setting actors: Policymakers, legislators, regulators, standards bodies and professional networks that can support systemic and lasting change.Our long-term ambition is simple: women should be able to expect menstrual products to be available when they need them—just as they expect soap, toilet paper and other basic essentials.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE?
Share an experience
Tell us where menstrual products are still missing.
Share good practice
Show us an organisation, city or country already doing it well.
Implement the change where you can
Introduce menstrual products in your workplace, facility or service.
Contribute to the initiative
Join the Core Team or contribute with your knowledge, expertise, time or professional network.
Support or endorse WomenPeriod
Support the initiative as an individual or endorse it on behalf of your organisation.
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
WomenPeriod is an independent, non-profit initiative working to make menstrual products a basic essential and a standard part of service provision — in workplaces, public spaces, airports, hotels, conference centres and beyond.We bring together people, organisations, experts and decision-makers to identify service gaps, share good practices, encourage practical action and help turn good practice into standard practice.WomenPeriod starts in Europe, but the issue does not stop at borders. We are open to connecting, learning and teaming up with people and organisations across the globe — and to supporting change wherever it can happen.WomenPeriod is an independent, volunteer-led initiative. Our work is contributed on a voluntary basis and driven by a shared commitment to change. We are not funded by, affiliated with or tied to any commercial brand, company or political organisation.
AND THERE IS GOOD PRACTICE
Some accommodation providers, public spaces, airports and employers already provide menstrual products free of charge. Some countries and cities have introduced excellent initiatives too.Scotland — Making free menstrual products a public responsibility!In August 2022, Scotland became the first country in the world to establish a legal right to access free menstrual products. Under the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, local authorities and education providers are required to ensure that menstrual products are available free of charge, with convenient access, dignity and choice.Scotland demonstrates how access to menstrual products can move from voluntary initiatives to an established public service responsibility.Austria – Making menstrual products accessible through public-private partnershipsAcross Austria, public institutions and businesses are working to improve access to free menstrual products and raise awareness about menstruation. Through a nationwide initiative, the Austrian government and dm are providing free menstrual products to schools and universities, while initiatives such as Westfield Donau Zentrum in Vienna demonstrate how businesses can make menstrual products part of everyday customer services.Good practice exists. Our goal is to help make it standard practice.
THE TEAM
Our core team brings together dedicated enthusiasts who contribute mostly in their free time, working behind the scenes to drive structural change across Europe and, wherever possible, globally. We engage with decision-makers across sectors to make menstrual products a standard hygiene provision, accessible to everyone who needs them.
Tihana Puzić
Initiator & Lead
Elisa Dolci
Co-Initiator & Core Team
Megan Hunter
Co-Initiator & Core Team
Amela Kadrić
Co-Initiator & Core Team
Henrike Klavert
Co-Initiator & Core Team
Dženana Alađuz
Co-Initiator & Core Team
OUR SUPPORTERS
Our supporters help drive change by spreading the word, sharing good practices and ideas, and taking action in their own ecosystems. They also support us in particular action implementation.Thanks! ❤️
NEXT GENERATION ❤️
Not just for the next generation. Together with them.WomenPeriod. brings generations together to challenge outdated norms and make menstrual products a standard part of everyday life.Our younger supporters from Gen Z and Gen Alpha are getting ready to bring fresh perspectives, creativity and energy to the initiative. Soon, they will take WomenPeriod. to Instagram and TikTok, using their own voices, trends and ideas to reach new audiences and help make periods a normal part of the conversation.Different generations. One movement. Real change.
CONTACT US
Would you like to contribute, share an experience, support or endorse the initiative, or explore cooperation with WomenPeriod?Get in touch with us: