During April, nearly 1,000 period panties were distributed to female students across all campuses.
"I would like to thank all the participants who contributed to the success of this operation," enthuses Nicolas François, student life coordinator at Arts et Métiers. For the first time ever, sanitary panties were distributed to female students at the institution.
Multiple objectives
This initiative has several objectives: to combat period poverty, promote a reusable product, improve the welcome given to female students, and break the taboo surrounding periods. In total, nearly 1,000 period panties were distributed across all campuses during April.
This initiative was funded by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC) to the tune of €13,470.
The results of a test in Angers
" We started by distributing one pair of sustainable period panties per student on the Angers campus, " explains Nicolas François. " This first step, funded by the FSDIE (Student Initiative Solidarity and Development Fund), allowed us to gauge students' feelings about using this little-known product. The feedback from students in Angers was unanimously positive. "
A reusable product
Menstrual underwear is a reusable product. The product chosen is from the Bertyne brand.
It was selected based on the following criteria:
- made in France;
- wide range of sizes;
- good composition;
- discounted price based on the quantity purchased;
- high absorbency.
An exchange of best practices
This initiative also enabled the exchange of best practices between campuses. For example, the donation box set up in Angers was adopted in Paris and Lille. " This initiative represents a step forward for the school in welcoming female students, " says Nicolas François.
