My focus is: Free Menstrual Products On Campus

Why this is important to me: Tilburg University wants to contribute to an equitable and inclusive society. This begs a question: how can a university aiming at making society fair and just not provide menstrual products for women on their campus? It is fundamental to an equitable society that women can go about their day without paying more for a tampon, having to ask a friend or walking a kilometer to get free menstrual products.

It is clear to PSA that menstrual products are provided in the gender-neutral bathroom in the CUBE building and the library reception. However, that is simply not enough. Women’s needs deserve to be accommodated, and our university should make sure that people who menstruate have access to free menstrual products on campus.

It is not women who decide to menstruate, it is rather an essential part of humanity’s existence. Therefore, menstrual products should be treated as normal products provided for free in public spaces, like toilet paper or soap.

There are two important terms which are essential to know, price discrimination and the pink tax. The pink tax is a term which describes price discrimination that women face. Specific products specifically marketed towards women are more expensive. This includes sales taxes which are placed on menstrual products. Gender discrimination also includes the fact that in public spaces women do not have access to free menstrual products.

It was 3rd wave-feminism which realized the role that gender, race and socioeconomic status play in aggravating economic disparities. This took place in the 90s and 2000s. Today, 20 years later it is still a prevalent problem. It still exists in our subconscious; we know that it is a big problem but have never even attempted to approach it with a concrete solution. This could explain the reason why it is now 2025 but Tilburg University only has tampons and pads in one bathroom, it seems that women’s issues are just too normalized for institutions to care.

Lastly, it is important to highlight the opportunistic behavior of companies who use menstruation as a chance to profit. Making all kinds of pads and tampons made from plastic with flower smell. Even though menstrual products are necessary it does not mean that us women should enable the capitalist system to profit off us. Therefore, PSA wants to provide eco-friendly menstrual products.

How we want to achieve this: 

We at PSA will make sure that free menstrual products are available to you in every bathroom on campus, both tampons and pads. It should not matter in what building you are or which bathroom you use, it is your right to have access to menstrual products. We are dedicated to gender equality while also considering the environment, therefore the menstrual products will be made from environmentally friendly materials. The pads already provided in the CUBE are only suitable for light flow, but we want to provide sizes that are suitable for normal flow and heavy flow. The menstrual products will be in small cupboards or baskets hanging on the wall and will be very visible. When we say all bathrooms, we mean all bathrooms so any person of any gender can have access to menstrual products. PSA will ensure that everyone who menstruates has access to menstrual products.