A predominantly male university is tackling a traditional female taboo: menstruation.
Montreal Polytechnic will install ten sinks in toilet cubicles in the coming years so female students can wash menstrual cups in complete privacy.
College of Engineering students, who now represent a third of the student body, were also able to benefit from a distribution of reusable and disposable menstrual products on campus on Tuesday, all in an approach that aims to be “both environmental and social.” .
A well-received project
Dozens of curious female students gathered at the beginning of the day around the kiosks set up on the second floor of the main building, as part of the “Menstrual Justice, We Fix It” initiative.
Tampons, sanitary pads, panties, menstrual cups and tablets were among the items distributed there. Free tampons, sanitary pads and panty liners are also provided at 13 toilets on the Polytechnic campus.
“There was a line even before opening [des kiosques] “This morning,” despite the summer session, says Sophie Beaudry, a bachelor’s student in biomedical engineering, who met near the stalls.
According to the young woman, the upcoming installation of these 10 sinks for cleaning menstrual cups and distributing reusable and disposable menstrual products has been greatly appreciated by the students on the campus. “We are a male-dominated environment in engineering, but to have this thought for girls, removing taboos, having more options and more resources, is just a positive thing.”
A prototype sink for washing menstrual cups was installed in the women's restroom in the main building last fall. Thanks to a team of four students, this initiative came to fruition.
The project owner, Alice Le Moel, explains that the idea came to her during a discussion with her ex-girlfriend about the complications that accompany cleaning menstrual cups. Thinking it would be nice “to be able to do it more privately,” she pitched the idea to the Office of Sustainable and Community Development at Montreal Polytechnic, which funded her project. Then the engineering school took over.
Use a menstrual cup
Unlike a tampon, which is disposed of after use, a menstrual cup must be emptied and cleaned so it can be reused.
“I've been using the cup for several years and love it,” says Juliette Letellier-Bau, one of the students involved in developing the basin prototype.
“This sink is definitely a game-changer. It makes the experience easier and more comfortable.” According to her, before installing the prototype, you had to clean special toilets to empty your cup.
“You should wash it at least every six hours […]so it is still necessary [rendre] “It is available if we really want it to be an option for the people who use it,” adds the master's student in engineering physics.
Photo by Patrick Sunfaun, Press
Montreal Polytechnic will install ten sinks in toilet cubicles in the coming years so female students can wash menstrual cups in complete privacy.
According to M.I Beaudry, the lack of places to empty a menstrual cup is an obstacle to its use. “It's being used more and more now that we have spaces to do it.”
Environmental products
Whoever says it is reusable also says it is environmentally friendly. According to Josiane Bélanger Gravelle, Sustainable Development Advisor at the Office of Sustainable and Community Development, all reusable menstrual products displayed at the kiosks have a shelf life of up to 10 years.
Photo by Patrick Sunfaun, Press
Josiane Bellanger Gravelle, Sustainable Development Advisor at the Office of Sustainable and Community Development
The advisor also explains that a team of Polytechnic students recently became interested in the environmental benefits of these reusable products as part of a life cycle analysis course.
In particular, they concluded, based on preliminary results, that a menstrual cup was more environmentally beneficial than disposable wipes, “both in terms of carbon footprint, energy consumption and damage to ecosystems,” according to MI Bellinger-gravel.
– Financial insecurity among students
M saysI Poudry. So, at least, we have [les produits menstruels jetables] For free, it removes worry, especially since we have to spend on it. »
An opinion shared by MI Letellier Pau: “It's an expense you have to pay every month […]. The fact that there are now vending machines [de tampons, serviettes hygiéniques et protège-dessous]”It really helps.”
According to the Government of Canada, “one in six menstruating Canadian women personally experiences menstrual insecurity,” especially as this precarious situation disproportionately affects young people.
“I hope so [l’initiative] It will continue over time, says MI Poudry. I think it can be an inspiring model for other universities to follow. »
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