By Ariana Leblanc Bessette
Contributing Writer
Throughout FGCU’s many bathrooms there do not seem to be enough feminine products at our reach. In times of an emergency, it can create a panic if we do not have anything available to use for the time being. Some women may find it embarrassing to ask someone else for the product they need, or others may not have anyone around when the time comes. FGCU should make feminine products more accessible on campus.
When we use the bathroom, toilet paper is always accessible, and free. We also have free condoms and other forms of protection available for free on campus. There is no difference for women when we need a feminine product for our time each month.
According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 79 percent of women over the age of 18 have started their period unexpectedly in public without the needed supplies.
“FGCU should work towards making feminine hygiene products more available to our female students especially since we have more women than men on campus, it needs to be more normalized,” health science major Tiazua Lucas said.
When on campus, if there are not any products at reach, the student may choose to just go home or even to the store instead of going to the class. This then puts the student a day behind in class or arriving late and missing attendance points if available. However, if feminine products have been available, such events could be avoided in the future.
Furthermore, it would be helpful to have feminine products available for free in the bathrooms but also sold in bulk in other places around the university. Adelphi contributor Jennifer Healy found that during the course of their lives a woman will spend approximately $2,000 on sanitary products. As college students, we are already struggling to come up with the funds for food, let alone pads and tampons.
The university can work to solve these problems by promoting awareness on the topic and doing what is necessary to have the funds to offer feminine products for free.