University News Last updated 10 October 2023
Free period products will be available in male and female toilets as part of a successful Period Dignity Scheme at Birmingham City University (BCU).
The BCU Period Dignity Scheme aims to ensure everyone has access to free period products at locations across the University’s campuses including libraries and the Students’ Union.
Gemma Williams, menstrual equality researcher at BCU, helped devise the scheme stating, “periods are not dirty or shameful” and hopes access to free products can break the stigma around menstruation and periods.
“The secrecy and misinformation about menstrual health can leave many feeling embarrassed to ask for period products or for help with their periods,” said Gemma.
Fellow BCU researchers Dr Analise Weckesser, Reader in Medical Anthropology, Dr Angela Hewitt, Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology and PhD student Amie Randhawa were also part of the research team.
The decision to include free period products in male toilets at BCU was to help trans men and masculine-presenting people who menstruate, as well as those who might unexpectedly get their period.
Ran as a pilot earlier in 2023, the Period Dignity Scheme received overwhelming support and positive feedback.
“Both cis and trans men may have reasons to make use of a free period products service,” said one piece of anonymous feedback.
“They [cis men] may not be aware that tampons are available for them to pick up should they require access to them, for personal use or for a friend, partner etc,” they added.
Other feedback praised products in men’s toilets as a positive step in “normalising menstrual health.”
Staff and students at BCU can easily identify locations with free products by looking out for the blood drop sticker which will be displayed on toilet doors.