Fight against menstrual poverty at the University of Reunion
In December 2021, the University of Reunion positioned itself on a call for projects from the Directorates of Economy, Employment, Work and Solidarity (DEETS) of Reunion, as part of the “National Strategy of Prevention and Fight against Poverty”. Among the actions retained intended to know and […]
In December 2021, the University of Reunion positioned itself on a call for projects from the Directorates of Economy, Employment, Work and Solidarity (DEETS) of Reunion, as part of the “National Strategy of Prevention and Fight against Poverty”. Among the actions retained intended to identify and combat all situations that could lead to exclusions, that of fight against menstrual poverty.
Menstruation is indeed an important and complex problem, given the difficulties it causes from an educational, health, product safety and even economic point of view.
A national survey highlights the following facts:
- 46% of students say they spend on average €5 to €10 each month for this purpose, not including expenses for painkillers.
- 13% of students say they have already had to choose between buying sanitary protection and another necessity product
- 33% of students believe they need financial assistance to purchase sanitary protection
Building on the success of this call for projects, the University of Reunion relied on its internal services to set up a distribution system for hygienic protection, with the support of the CVEC. Thus, the Department of Student Life (DVEC), the university preventive medicine and health promotion service (SUMPPS) and the Equality Service will allow the installation of 45 distributors on the establishment's sites and campuses.
The device was presented:
Wednesday March 08, 2023 from 14:00 p.m.
Preventive medicine square (SUMPPS) – Moufia Campus
In the presence of:
- Marie JOUAVILLE, Director of SUMPPS
- Rudrigue SAUTRON, Vice-president in charge of student life
- Jérôme GARDODY, Vice-President of the Board of Directors in charge of training and university life
This system provides:
- Maximum hygiene (refill system avoiding any contact with the products during replacement),
- Environmental respect : the menstrual products contained in the refills are manufactured by Natracare, the European leader in organic menstrual products: the tampons and napkins are made from organic cellulose and cotton, without dyes, without perfumes or toxic glue, suitable for sensitive skin and incorporating zero plastic. Tampons and pads are also biodegradable and compostable. The packaging is made from recycled paper or corn starch.
- Solidarity : Each order placed allows the supplier to make donations, in particular a patron of the ADSF-Agir association for women's health which distributes protection to women in precarious situations. Packaging and shipping are entrusted to people with disabilities.
Fighting against menstrual poverty constitutes one of the flagship commitments of the University of La Réunion in terms of gender equality and a strong desire for our 9000 students. Whether for an emergency, something you forgot, or to no longer have to choose between buying a meal or periodic protection, students will be able to obtain periodic protection free of charge and directly on the sites and campuses.
Top of page