Advocating for Period Dignity: A Survey of Menstruation's Impact on Class Attendance Among Women at Nova Southeastern University
Abstract
Feminine hygiene products are essential in the life of every woman during their menstruation years. However, 86% of women in the US have experienced starting menstruation in public without having access to supplies. Lack of proper hygiene products on campus subjects an enormous burden on women, creating significant stress. In this study, a survey of NSU students and faculty indicated 90% of the respondents had been caught on campus with no access to feminine hygiene products. 24% of those individuals choose to leave campus during this menstrual period emergency causing them to miss class time and 58% of them choose to use toilet paper to temporarily manage the problem and go back to class. Our findings underscore the necessity for the university to secure a welcoming environment for NSU’s female community and enable period dignity. The results of this study support our femininehygiene initiative that aims to make menstrual hygiene products free and accessible to NSU students on campus, similar to programs at other universities. The availability of free menstrual products would alleviate the consequences of situational ill-hygiene practices and period-related class absences, which otherwise jeopardize students’ academic performance and compromise women’s health.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Rita Shea Van-Fossen
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2021 12:00 PM
End Date
4-9-2021 12:00 PM
Advocating for Period Dignity: A Survey of Menstruation's Impact on Class Attendance Among Women at Nova Southeastern University
Alvin Sherman Library
Feminine hygiene products are essential in the life of every woman during their menstruation years. However, 86% of women in the US have experienced starting menstruation in public without having access to supplies. Lack of proper hygiene products on campus subjects an enormous burden on women, creating significant stress. In this study, a survey of NSU students and faculty indicated 90% of the respondents had been caught on campus with no access to feminine hygiene products. 24% of those individuals choose to leave campus during this menstrual period emergency causing them to miss class time and 58% of them choose to use toilet paper to temporarily manage the problem and go back to class. Our findings underscore the necessity for the university to secure a welcoming environment for NSU’s female community and enable period dignity. The results of this study support our femininehygiene initiative that aims to make menstrual hygiene products free and accessible to NSU students on campus, similar to programs at other universities. The availability of free menstrual products would alleviate the consequences of situational ill-hygiene practices and period-related class absences, which otherwise jeopardize students’ academic performance and compromise women’s health.
