Access to Free Menstrual Products at Acadia University – Petition by Acadia Women’s Centre

 

The Asks: 

 

-       Acadia University to formally commit to having menstrual products in all washrooms by adding 20 new dispensers placed per year until all washrooms on campus have menstrual products dispensers.

 

-       Acadia University to meet with students by having a designated hour-long consultation in-person period as well as contact where students can express their views and preferences in terms of this having menstrual products in campus.

 

-       Acadia University naming a designated contact person who overseas menstrual products in washrooms. This would be part of this person portfolio to ensure this is a long-term plan and to sustain initiative.

 

-       A yearly meeting to occur that includes Women’s Centre Coordinator, Pride Coordinator, SHRC Coordinator and Faculty and Facility representation to meet yearly to ensure that having menstrual products is optimized to be inclusive and affirming to all students and maintained as long term initiative.

 

Important Information:

Acadia University Students are asking Acadia University to commit to placing menstrual products in all bathrooms on Campus. Menstrual products are crucial resources to all of those who menstruate and should be made as accessible as possible. Having period products readily available in all campus bathrooms would be an especially great help to students who struggle to afford to constantly be buying those products themselves, or those who simply feel intimidated by having to speak up and ask for what they need due to the stigma that still surrounds menstruation. It will make for a safer, healthier, and more inclusive learning environment for all students. 

Having menstrual products in all washrooms is a gender equity issue, a cost-of-living issue and a human rights issue. As per the Acadia Equity Office it states, “All members of the University community have the right to live, learn, and work in an affirming, anti-oppressive environment”. Until menstrual products are easily accessible in all washrooms on campus and residence, menstrual products will be a luxury product. Menstrual products are not luxury products; menstruating is a part of life for all those born with a uterus. The lack of menstrual products on Acadia campus means that Acadia students must decide whether to buy menstrual products instead of food, tuition, textbooks, or other expenses. Acadia students who get their period on campus and do not have menstrual products on hand must leave classes or other activities on campus to access menstrual products as they are not available in all buildings on campus. This means that Acadia University is an environment that is not inclusive and supportive to students who menstruate. Those who menstruate are members of the female, non-binary and trans communities. Acadia University needs to prioritize the accessibility to menstrual products to create an inclusive environment to learn and live in. It is important to note that not all menstruators identify as female, it is important to recognize menstruators who identify as male, and as such it is important to have menstrual products in all washrooms including male and all gender washrooms. 

There is precedent to have menstrual products in all washrooms. Universities such as local Dalhousie University have made menstrual products available in 100 washrooms on their campus as part of their Equity and Inclusion Office. Dalhousie has made a designated contact person and has listed the locations of all washrooms with menstrual products on there website. As of December of 2023, federally regulated workplaces are now required to provide free pads and tampons to their employees. This was done to improve workplace gender equity. The decisions of these institutions show the precedent and importance of having menstrual products in all washrooms. 

It is important to highlight the efforts made by Acadia University and various groups at Acadia University to support student access menstrual products. There are currently products provided by Acadia University at the Athletic Centre, KCIC and Acadia Library. The following faculties and organization have provided menstrual products in their buildings: the Wong International Centre, Horton Hall (Psychology Faculty), Patterson Hall (Building Faculty) and the SHRC. There are also menstrual products available for students living in Residence. It is important to recognize the benefits and importance of having menstrual products available in these buildings. However, this is not enough. Acadia University must commit to having menstrual products in all campus buildings to foster an inclusive learning environment for all students. 

 

Thank you for your time and support for this initiative.

Acadia Women’s Centre 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources Cited: 

 

https://www2.acadiau.ca/student-life/equity-judicial/equity.html

 

https://www.dal.ca/dept/vpei/edia/education/community-specific-spaces/Menstrual-Products.html