Imagining WesPeriod Project

Period poverty, defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education, affects many women globally causing physical, mental, and emotional challenges.

• 1 in 4 students in U.S. struggle to afford period product
• 86% of people who menstruate have started their periods unexpectedly in publi
• 1 in 3 low-income menstruating student miss work, school, and other events due to lack of access

As of July 2022, all Connecticut public schools serving students in grades 4-12 shall provide free period products in restrooms that are accessible to students. This legislation also requires free period products to be provided in shelters, female inmate institutions, and public institutions of higher education. Unfortunately, the administration of Wesleyan University was unable to fulfill this promise.

The Wesleyan Period Project was established in 2019 by student staff in the resource center to provide the Wesleyan student body with a variety of sustainable menstrual products that are discreet and accessible to everyone, particularly those who face socioeconomic barriers in accessing such products.

The project has been successful in providing 2200 tampons and pads per academic year and has applied for approximately $1000 from the Green Fund. This year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with ASHA (Adolescent Sexual Health Association) and WSA (Wesleyan Student Assembly) to expand the project to increase the number of locations where the products are available and stocking them more extensively.

I was motivated to conduct a geo-spatial survey on campus to better understand the menstrual product needs of our student body. This survey aims to gather information on preferred types of products, usage scenarios, and the best locations for distribution. By analyzing this data, we can strategically plan and distribute resources to meet the specific needs of the Wesleyan community.

I first hand drew a map of Wesleyan, biasedly grouped by the area I would go to the most. Then prepared push pin in two colors and two different shapes to record that data within the geo-information: the type of products and usage scenario.

🟦 Stocking / Pads

🔵 Stocking / Tampon

🟥 Emergency / Pads

🔴Emergency / Tampon

I sat in Usdan on a Thursday dinner time for 3 hours and gathered 104 suggestions.

The results of my geo-spatial survey have highlighted that the current locations of the Wesleyan Period Project's stations at the Resource Center, Digital Design Studio, and WesWell may not be the most convenient for students, whether for emergency purposes or regular stocking. Based on the survey data, we should consider adding new stations at Exley, Freeman Athletic Center, Olin, and Butts to better serve the needs of more students. In addition, the survey data has allowed us to consider distributing different quantities of products in public and residential spaces, while we can buy the same amount of tampons and pads. Overall, by using GIS to analyze the survey data, we can improve the effectiveness of the Wesleyan Period Project in promoting menstrual equity and supporting the health and well-being of the Wesleyan community.