As part of an initiative by the Period Dignity Project, working with Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF), dispensers containing free Natracare pads and tampons have been installed across campus, replacing existing paid machines.
This initiative has expanded upon an initial trial of two dispensers situated in the School of Life Sciences, and the School of Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH). The project is monitored by volunteers and the SEF, with contact details provided alongside each dispenser for when they need to be restocked. The initiative hopes to raise awareness of issues such as the cost of menstruation and the cultural stigma around periods, aiming to improve understanding of periods.
The initiative launched in 2019 and was co-founded by Kristy Flowers, Senior Technical Manager (Teaching) in the School of Life Sciences. The Badger asked Kristy how Sussex students can further support their aim to reduce the stigma surrounding those who have periods She responded by emphasising “open, frank, honest and inclusive discussion with eachother (all genders)”, as well as “educat[ing] yourself and others about menstruation”. Furthermore, she signposted the orange boxes that can be found around campus, where students can fill in questions about menstruation that will be answered in talks run through Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
Kristy sees the greatest achievement of the project so far as its growth across schools, and its collaborative work in multiple buildings across campus. She noted that the initiative hopes to expand campus wide and is currently working to put together a report with the central University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. She specified that the initiative “would love to roll out more dispensers across campus… however, everything depends on funding and where that money can be found”. In collaboration with MAH student, Georgie Cunningham Barrett, the project sent a letter to Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil, asking for support for the project by “including free period products across the whole campus in all toilets”. They are currently awaiting a response.
Kristy defined the project as “necessary, inclusive and collaborative”, highlighting the importance of this project for everyone. For more information, the project is on Instagram @perioddignityproject or can be emailed at period.dignity@sussex.ac.uk
