Members of SGA, the Student Government Association at Wright State University, have been collecting donations of menstrual products so they can place bins in restrooms around campus to offer student free products.
Breaking the stigma against menstruation
Menstruation is often silenced in stigma, considered a private matter that should be hidden away. For years, the conversation surrounding menstruation has been avoided, even though it affects roughly half of the population for a significant portion of their lives.
Having menstrual products is a necessity for many, but not everyone has access to them. Offering free menstrual products is a step toward normalizing the discussion and addressing the inequality that comes from not being able to afford these essential products.
Citron Hygiene, a health and hygiene company, talked about the number of people who do not have access to the products they need, and how this is a wide-spread issue.
“Approximately 500 million people around the world don’t have access to the period products they need to manage their monthly menstrual cycles – and each day, roughly 300 million people are menstruating.,” the article reads.
Just like toilet paper, soap and other sanitary supplies, menstrual products are a basic need that should be available in public spaces like college restrooms.
Addressing financial barriers
Through Wright State University campus events, such as the Women’s Wellness Forum, the members of SGA have been collecting donations of menstrual products for several weeks. This will help combat the cost.
Each campus organization has a set budget for how much they can spend each year, and this project is part of that budget. The hope is to have the boxes placed and running by the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
Ritu Pokharel is a communication major at WSU and she shared why she thinks this project is a good idea and why it should be implemented on campus.
“I think this is definitely a good decision as I consider menstrual products a basic need and no one should have to stress out about not having access to it,” Pokharel said.
The purpose of the box is to support students, especially those who might be struggling financially to afford their own products.
“For some, the cost of these products is a source of stress. According to research, low-income students often make difficult decisions about how to prioritize their spending, sometimes sacrificing essential hygiene products,” the article reads.
Positive impact around campus
This SGA project will help relieve some of students’ financial stress. It also gives students, who are able, the opportunity to contribute their own supplies, if they have extra. This will help the system continue to operate, and give students a volunteer opportunity.
Kayla Davenport, another communications major at WSU, talked about the need for this and how it will affect all students on campus.
“I think it’s about time that free menstrual products were put into the bathrooms. Also, I think putting menstrual products in the men’s bathrooms would also be beneficial because even though they are in the men’s bathroom does not mean that they don’t have a period. Trans people do exist, even if you take away gender neutral bathrooms,” Davenport said.
These boxes will also help foster a sense of unity among WSU students. Menstruation affects a significant portion of the student body, including women, non-binary, and transgender individuals.
Providing free menstrual products helps create an inclusive environment that recognizes and supports the needs of all students who menstruate. It is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a matter of equity, health, and respect.
As more colleges recognize the importance of menstrual equity, implementing such programs becomes a meaningful step toward supporting student success and well-being.
