Project Period, the university’s pioneering scheme that provides free sanitary products to our staff and students to help tackle period poverty and reduce stigma of menstruation and menopause, is expanding overseas.

Led by Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning for the Faculty of Science & Engineering, Professor Jess Price, colleagues are launching the scheme as a pilot at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM).

To celebrate and officially launch the project, UNM will be running a social media campaign across various channels to coincide with International Women’s Day, taking place today (Friday 8 March 2024).

Further funding for the project in UNM has been applied for which would see the pilot scheme expanded and sustained into the future.

As part of the pilot launch in UNM, a survey will be circulated among staff and students which aims to determine more about the levels of period poverty experienced in our Higher Education Institution in Malaysia.

Findings from the survey will also help to inform which locations on the UNM campus should be selected for product placement.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and People at the University of Nottingham, Professor Katherine Linehan said: “It’s fantastic to see a grass roots project started by the Students Union now running across campuses in two countries because of the proactive support of the initiative by a huge number of colleagues at all levels and job families.

“The impact Project Period has on our community cannot be underestimated, from supporting the cost of living, to allowing women carrying out business critical work to get on and complete it without having to think about sanitary protection.

“The pilot launch in Malaysia is another great example of excellent collective collaboration across our campuses and is testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues at both UoN and UNM.”

Products should be in place at selected locations across our UNM campus in time for Earth Day – taking place on Monday 22 April 2024.

As well as providing products to help tackle period poverty, Project Period is also about educating and normalising conversations around menstruation and menopause.

On our UK campuses, steps have been taken to create a more inclusive environment by integrating discussions around menstrual and menopausal health into the curriculum.

Workshops and events have been held and will continue into the future to educate and raise awareness about challenges faced by those who menstruate and go through menopause.

Find out more about Project Period, current research the university is involved in around menstruation and menopause or recent studies from Malaysia around period poverty and stigma.

All products handed out as part of Project Period are made using sustainable materials, helping to reduce plastic packaging and protect the environment.