Approximately every four weeks, many women, girls, and some trans and non-binary peoples experience menstruation. This experience of menstruation is an experience of silencing, of taboo, and of stigma. Moreover, the expense and toll of menstruation is expected to be borne solely by the individuals experiencing this biological function.

“Period Poverty and Equity, on Campus and Beyond” utilizes a menstrual justice lens to bring together faculty and staff, with students and organizations, to address period poverty (the increased economic vulnerability resulting from the financial burden posed by the need for menstrual supplies) and promote period equity.

Through this project, we:

• Conducted a comprehensive physical audit of all sources of menstrual supplies on University of Manitoba campuses (Fort Garry, Bannatyne, William Norrie Centre);
• A survey of the UM campus community on their experiences with menstruation on campus; and
• Hosted on-campus events, including a Menstrual Justice button-making workshop and a panel in honour of Women’s Day entitled Politics.PERIOD.

Menstruation and the experience of menstruation is a site of discrimination, of microaggressions, and of overlapping oppressions. As a result of this project, we will increase period equity across the UManitoba Campuses, contributing to the priorities identified in Our Shared Future namely: as it relates to Post-Covid Planning and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).