Student-run societies on the UNB Fredericton and Saint John campuses work to combat menstrual inequity and break down taboos around menstruation through education, outreach and free product dispensers.
Menstrual health and equity are gaining momentum at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) thanks to the dedicated efforts of student-led societies on both campuses.
Meren Keith, Ridhima Dixit and Elise Maltais at an event representing the UNB Saint John campus Menstrual Health Society.
These two groups are working tirelessly to combat period poverty and destigmatize menstruation, ensuring that all students have access to necessary products and information.
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, menstrual inequity (also called "period poverty") adversely affects mental and physical well-being, education and professional development. Inadequate access to menstrual products can cause shame, distress and missed social activities.
Kirsten Dunn, co-chair of the Menstrual Health Society (MHS) on the UNB Fredericton campus, said Caroline Stephen (BScME'23) and Kate Palmer (BSc'24) founded it about four years ago.
"It is much easier to start in a smaller scope, so the founders decided to tackle the campus first. We have expanded to the local community, and this year, we hope to expand our support and advocacy further throughout New Brunswick," Dunn said.
The Fredericton MHS has implemented a universally applied dispenser program, providing free menstrual products across campus.
"The problems of period poverty and the stigma affecting menstrual health are so embedded in society. The goal is to end this stigma. On campus, our universally applied dispenser program provides free menstrual products to anyone. There are 18 dispensers on campus," Dunn said.
The society also hosts events to combat stigma and promote menstrual health awareness.
Ridhima Dixit and Sarah Mahmood co-chair a separate MHS on the Saint John campus.
"I was the EDI [Equity, Diversity and Inclusion] representative on campus and ran an EDI committee. I had ideas about addressing period poverty but when I met with Ridhima and heard about the steps she was taking in forming a whole MHS society, I knew collaborating on that would be a great idea," said Mahmood.
A 2022 survey on menstrual equity on the Saint John campus revealed significant gaps in access to menstrual products, with 67 per cent of students reporting difficulty finding products on campus.
"The survey highlighted a problem we have on campus with accessing menstrual health products. The results from the 2022 survey highlighted the lack of access to menstrual products in the bathrooms on campus, where out of the 24 bathrooms surveyed, only four carried menstrual products," explained Mahmood.
This data spurred the formation of the Saint John society and its efforts to stock multiple bathrooms with menstrual products and install functional dispensers.
Both societies are committed to destigmatizing menstruation and enhancing menstrual literacy. The Fredericton society participates in campus events such as Fall into Wellness and Spring Pickings, where free wellness items and menstrual products are distributed.
Dunn emphasized the importance of these events in raising awareness and combating stigma.
"We will continue to host events to get our name out there. We are a relatively new society, but our name is starting to get around campus, which is exciting."
In Saint John, the society plans to hold a research symposium to educate and expand knowledge about menstruation.
"The campus is not just a place for students. It also invites community partners to create, collaborate and communicate community-driven solutions. We want to be a part of this change," said Dixit.
"A research symposium is definitely on our agenda for the upcoming year so that we can educate and expand our existing knowledge about menstruation."
Mahmood highlighted the role of social media and campus events in their strategy.
"By having an active social media presence, collaborating with other clubs on campus and by holding events for people to participate in, we engage the student population on campus and are able to both destigmatize menstruation and enhance menstrual literacy."
Dixit said the group's equity-driven work is only possible because of the collaborative ecosystem fostered at the university.
"We are grateful to the janitors, our student health centre and the Students' Representative Council for always being open to collaborating and supporting student-driven initiatives," she said.
"Our work at the Menstrual Health Society is ultimately rooted in our intersectional identities. There's no menstrual equity without intersectionality we therefore hope to continue emphasizing the role our race, age, socio-economic status and migrant status play in accessing essential hygiene products on campus and beyond."
Sustainability is also a key focus for both societies. The Saint John society has partnered with the Green Society to distribute free Diva Cups, promoting sustainable menstrual practices.
"We partnered with the Green Society on campus to do a menstrual cup giveaway not only to raise awareness about sustainable products but also to give back to the community and provide students with an opportunity to try a new sustainable practice," said Mahmood.
Addressing menstrual inequity remains a significant challenge. Dunn points out that New Brunswick has no legislation providing period products, leaving private organizations and not-for-profits to fill the gap.
"Private organizations and not-for-profits do work to provide them to shelters and those below the poverty line," she said.
Dixit and Mahmood echo this concern, emphasizing the need for advocacy and sustainable solutions.
The societies are also working on outreach programs to educate younger students about menstrual health. The Fredericton society offers presentations to elementary, middle and high school students to address stigma and provide information on menstrual products.
Mahmood said menstrual equity is a human right.
"Access to sanitary products is a right, and no student should ever have to feel a lack of resources," said Mahmood.
Both societies have ambitious goals. The Fredericton society aims to secure larger funding channels to expand its initiatives, and the Saint John society plans to establish long-lasting community partnerships and hopes to hold a symposium on menstrual health.
With the availability of the products currently limited to four washrooms on the Saint John campus, Dixit said more needs to be done to "destigmatize menstruation and deconstruct existing heteronormative ideas that perpetuate menstrual inequity."
She said that the foundation of menstrual equity lies in the ability to choose.
"Students are only offered one type of menstrual hygiene product under the existing initiative: sanitary napkins. The current products offered to students are not only non-biodegradable but also single use."
Mahmood envisions a future where menstrual equity is integrated into broader conversations.
"Our goal is to create a campus culture where menstruation is openly discussed and normalized."
Dunn also desires more educational openness on the subject.
"It is taught in the health section in school, not biology. It is a simple biological process. It needs to be discussed more."
Follow the MHS on Instagram:
UNB Fredericton Menstrual Health Society
UNB Saint John Menstrual Health Society
