Providing these free period products is a crucial step towards ensuring gender equality and promoting public health. At educational institutions like Southwestern University, the availability of free period products can significantly impact students well-being and academic performance. Free and easy access to these products means no one has to worry about missing class, or having to compromise hygiene.

Period poverty, or the lack of access to menstrual products affect millions of people globally and can have severe mental and physical consequences. By offering free products, Southwestern helps alleviate that burden. During a 2024 survey of 195 Southwestern university student respondents, 49% of students experienced food insecurity in the last year, and 61% of first generation students experienced need or high need for food. Anecdotally, these numbers could indicate that offering free period products has alleviated some small part of that burden of need that exists on campus.

This initiative promotes hygiene and reduces the risk of infections associated with using unsanitary alternatives. Additionally, it relieves stress from students who might not have ready access to a store, or finances for the products.

Providing free period products sends a powerful message about the importance of gender equity and the necessity of addressing basic human needs. It highlights the Sustainability Committees commitment to support all students and creates a thriving environment for students.

Southwestern University leads by example in this way, inspiring other institutions to adopt similar practices, and sends a clear message to the world, “period products are not luxury items.”