We are so pleased after starting our campaign for free sanitary products to be introduced on campus that the College have finally, two years on, agreed to do so.
Originally, our plan was to provide a give-and-take scheme in gender neutral, accessible, and women’s toilets where a stack of period products would be left for those who needed one, and people who had spare could place them in the box to keep the stock maintained; the Working Class Network (WCN) would intervene if stocks fell low. However, now we are grateful that the College has taken serious action on the campaign, and we can’t wait to see all the machines rolled out.
Now, we’ve changed our focus to improving other areas of period dignity at Imperial. As well as continually spreading awareness of the issue of period poverty, especially over the holidays, we are working with departments to provide free underwear and trousers in a range of gender-inclusive types and sizes so that students, if need be, can have access to spare clothing on their period. This has been an issue the Department of Materials has worked on; their scheme inspired us to try to roll this out College-wide so no one is caught off guard on their period.
Our campaign has not stopped; we welcome and are so happy with the College's progress, but there is still much more awareness to be raised around period poverty, and actions to be taken to ensure the products provided are eco-friendly.
Thank you to all the previous and current members of the WCN who have supported the campaign, and the previous working group formed during the initial phase of the campaign.