Students demand tampons and pads for free
There should also be free tampons and pads at Hanover’s universities. This demand now comes from the student parliaments of Leibniz University and Hannover University of Applied Sciences. Recently, the City Student Council called for menstrual items in school toilets. The students support this and also demand free equipment in all sanitary facilities on the university campus.
“Period poverty doesn’t stop when you’re studying. It is well known that students can run out of money at the end of the month. The regular purchase of period products is another burden,” says Daaje Oldewurtel, Vice President of the Leibniz University Student Council.
Tampons are missing when the period comes suddenly
Periods inevitably come at a high cost in women’s lives. The students argue that menstrual products that are freely available could therefore be a great relief. And not just financially. “The time when the period will occur cannot always be predicted. If those affected do not have any relevant products available in this situation, this quickly leads to an uncomfortable situation,” says Oldewurtel.
But the students go one step further. They even ask for tampons and pads in the men’s restroom. Because men who were born as women can also menstruate.
The students have already introduced her to the Equal Opportunities Commission at Hanover University of Applied Sciences. They were asked to elaborate their proposal in more detail. “For us, this is a question of financing and the framework conditions,” says a spokeswoman. A test at a university location is also conceivable.
Dresden: Free tampons in public buildings
Six months ago, the city council in Dresden decided that pads and tampons should be available free of charge in the toilets of public buildings and in schools. The city expects annual costs of 250,000 to 500,000 euros. The proponents argue that toilet paper is also made available.
The Scottish Parliament is tackling the problem more broadly. It was already decided at the end of 2020 that women should generally receive menstrual items free of charge. Estimates assume that women have to spend around 550 euros a year for this need. That adds up to more than 20,000 euros over the course of a lifetime.
By Bärbel Hilbig