Bloody Serious | Addressing period poverty at UM
Maastricht University (UM) is committed to equity and care for all students and staff. As part of this commitment, we offer free menstrual products in most university buildings. This supports those who struggle with period poverty, an issue that is often overlooked because talking about menstruation is still taboo. We're opening up the conversation and taking action.
Why free menstrual products matter
Menstrual products are a basic healthcare necessity, not a luxury. Yet an estimated 1 in 8 who menstruate in the Netherlands can’t afford products when they need them. By making menstrual products freely available, we aim to:
- help reduce period poverty among students, staff and visitors
- provide a product in a moment of urgency so students and staff can continue studying or working
- normalise conversations about menstruation and period poverty within our community
- help break down stigma surrounding menstruation
Menstruation is still too often treated as something shameful or ‘unmentionable’, which means the issue of period poverty is often avoided and goes unaddressed. This silence can add stress for those already struggling. By making menstrual products freely and visibly available, UM helps to bring the topic into the open and reinforces its commitment to equity and care for all students and staff.
How period poverty is experienced
For many, factors such as the rising cost of living, low income, job loss, debt, single-parent household pressures, and unpredictable financial or relationship circumstances make it difficult to afford menstrual products. Research from Bovengrondse shows that period poverty can manifest in the following ways:
- using unsuitable alternatives (toilet paper, tissues, rags) due to lack of money
- buying cheaper products that can cause discomfort, irritation or allergic reactions
- using products longer than recommended, which can pose serious health risks
- cutting back on other essentials, like food, to buy menstrual products
- being unable to afford painkillers for menstrual pain
Period poverty can affect overall wellbeing by hindering participation in daily activities and also contributing to feelings of shame and stress.
Where to access free menstrual products at UM
Products are available in most UM buildings. To find them:
- Check the Inclusive Facilities Map for exact locations and room numbers.
- Look for the pink Bloody Serious logo outside toilet areas.
Inside, you’ll find cabinets with stocked boxes of products.
Take what you need, whenever you need it.
If you notice a cabinet is empty, please contact servicepoint-fs@maastrichtuniversity.nl so Facility Services can refill it. The cabinets are restocked every Tuesday.
How Bloody Serious started: a community effort
The pilot project
The Bloody Serious initiative began in 2021 as a pilot project proposed by student organisation Feminists of Maastricht in collaboration with several staff members. The aim of providing free menstrual products was twofold:
- to contribute to a more inclusive environment at UM by helping to break down the period stigma
- support people who have difficulties affording menstrual products
The group was inspired by new legislation in Scotland and similar developments in New Zealand to end period poverty. They believed that period products are basic and essential healthcare items, so they should be provided free of charge to those in need.
The project was awarded a D&I Grant for one year. This was carried out in cooperation with Facility Services and supported by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion+ Office. The menstrual products (pads and tampons) were initially available at 24 UM locations, and this has been expanded to 38 locations. The boxes are refilled weekly by the Facility Services Rapid Response Team.
The group carried out an awareness-raising campaign around period poverty and the need to end the stigma around menstruation. This included a Bloody Serious Instagram account (now inactive), a survey, workshops and various discussions around campus.
A caring community response
From the very beginning, the response from our community was overwhelmingly positive. There were initial concerns that products (pads and tampons) might be taken in excess, but the opposite happened. Multiple people offered to donate products, and many have even added products to a box if they needed one unexpectedly but could afford their own. These thoughtful acts of kindness and solidarity show the heart of our university community.
Thanks to the success of the pilot, UM’s Executive Board has approved the transition of this initiative to the structural budget of Facility Services, ensuring the long-term provision of free menstrual products to students and staff who need them.
Have any questions about this initiative, or would you like to share your experience? We're happy to hear from you at diversity@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
The Bloody Serious pilot team (2021)
