The Student Center for Diversity, Advocacy, and Inclusion (SCDAI) also gathered 2,200 signatures on a petition for the Dutch government to take action
By Thomas Ansell
Several student organisations in Groningen have teamed up to try and pressure the Dutch government into taking action against period poverty. One of the organisations, the Student Center for Diversity, Advocacy, and Inclusion (SCDAI), gathered 2,200 signatures on a petition as part of its ‘The Study Period’ campaign.
Many students in the Netherlands must make the choice between attending classes, and menstruating, with the SCDAI adding that menstrual products are often presented as ‘luxuries’. The organisation is calling for the placing of sanitary products in all toilets in Universities, saying that they are as much an essential item as ‘toilet paper, soap, and disinfectant’. Unbelievably, some universities reportedly also charge 4-6 times the supermarket price for tampons from their vending machines.
The final part of the ‘The Study Period’ campaign saw the organisation team up with several other Groninger-based groups to present an open letter to the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. The SCDAI teamed up with IDEA Groningen, Women’s March Groningen, Let’s Talk about Sex Groningen (LTAS); Menstruatie Donatie, Feministas en Holanda, Wonda Women; and Feminists Against Ableism.
As yet, the SCDAI has yet to receive a response.
