Menstrual Hygiene Solutions for Colleges and Universities

As the youth shapes their career through education, it’s the responsibility of colleges and universities to provide a supportive healthy environment to focus on their academic growth. Menstrual hygiene is one such important aspect that supports the environment on campuses. It is a taboo subject even today at workplace and campuses too. Period dignity is also a cause of concern.

Period dignity:

An extremely vital concept that impacts women is period dignity. It is about having safe access to adequate menstruating products to manage monthly cycles safely, proper sanitation facilities and freedom from stigma and shame about menstruation.

Ironically educational institutions focus on providing conducive environment for learning, though topics about menstruation are avoided, and ignored. Thus, students keep silent and never speak about the impact it has on their physical and mental health.

So menstrual health, period dignity are not just about the physical aspects of menstruation/ periods its about creating an uninterrupted access to education. Also, it involves right education about menstrual health on campus. Here its necessary to educate the teaching staff, leadership teams and administration staff too.

Period Poverty:

It is the inadequate access to safe and hygienic menstrual products when girls and women have their monthly periods.

It also includes no access to basic sanitation facilities and education about menstrual hygiene colleges, due to lack of financial accessibility.

Some students have tight budgets so they cannot afford period products that are at times very expensive. Students are trying to make ends meet as they have to bear the expense of tuition, rent and food expenses. Thus, university campuses and colleges are now compelled to provide free access to menstrual products and also begin conversations about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

At times they have to miss their classes, they face insecurities and embarrassment. They begin to compromise on their educational potential. Thus, starting conversations around challenges faced during menstruation is all the more necessary and the primary step to be taken by authorities. The driving force of real change is these conversations that reveal the experiences of students.

Menstrual Hygiene Solutions for Colleges and Universities

Sanitizers for toilet seat:

Cleanliness of the toilet seat is something that might sound trivial and it is ignored whenever we talk about hygiene management. But students are not sure of the seat’s cleanliness thus, resorting to “hovering”. This practise impacts comfort contributing to urine spray. Thus, adversely impacting the stalls’ hygiene for everyone.

Considering this challenge institutions can install toilet seat sanitizer dispensers inside each stall. A quick spray and wipe, can sanitize the seat before using it. This will encourage them to sit comfortably rather than hover. Such a minor addition in facility reduces urine spray and keeps the stall clean, safe and comfortable to use.

Touch free disposable bins:

It’s extremely vital to ensure a hygienic disposal system of menstrual products. Often students have to flush tampons or sanitary napkins in the toilet. Even if they put it in the dustbin its not hygienic as they might not cover it. Sanitary napkins and menstrual products need a separate place to be disposed of. Touch free disposable bins for sanitary pads are available at Naree Care. University campuses and colleges can touch base with Naree Care team to know more.

Sanitary pad disposable bins are installed inside women’s washrooms. They are covered with lids, and control odour. This hands free approach maintains hygienic standards and doesn’t create plumbing issues that are created due to flushing sanitary products. Also, the facilities staff doesn’t face health issues arising from cleaning the menstrual waste.

Breaking the silence:

Universities should create safe and comfortable spaces for students to express their challenges faced during menstruation. Awareness campaigns and peer led groups create safe and inclusive environment for students to speak freely about their experiences. They can easily seek help too amidst this free environment. Teachers and staff at campuses should be educated about menstrual health issues so that students feel they are approachable and seek help from them.

Access to menstrual products:

Students who don’t get easy access to period products end up being isolated leading to poor emotional and physical wellbeing. They also miss out on classes and feel anxious while socializing. Menstrual wellbeing is an integral part of students’ health and academic progress. They should get access to sustainable period products to be able to perform well academically.

Thus, Naree Caree provides sanitary pad vending machines that can be installed in ladies’ toilets at universities and colleges.

Naree Care services aim at providing 360-degree hygiene management system that gives access to sanitary pads and provides safe disposal of menstrual products thus, undertaking environmental responsibility. Get in touch with the Naree Care team https://nareecare.com/ to know more.