This document discusses an initiative at University College Dublin (UCD) Library to address period poverty on campus. It notes that 53,000-85,000 women in Ireland are at risk of period poverty. The UCD Library Period Poverty Initiative, a joint effort between the library, student union, and dean of students, provides free period products in campus bathrooms. To date, over 11,000 individual products have been supplied. The initiative aims to promote inclusion and work with the university to expand access to period products across campus through sustainable procurement practices.

1. This is Your Presentation Title
1
Period Poverty
Initiative
in UCD Library
Vanessa Buckley
UCD Library
University College Dublin
Image: UCD Library Outreach Team

2. Period Poverty
Period poverty is the lack of access to adequate menstrual
hygiene including period products, washing and waste
management facilities
 53,000-85,000 women in Ireland are at risk of period
poverty
 50% of 12-19 years olds have experienced occasional
period poverty
 61% have missed school as a direct result of their period
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3. UCD Equality Diversity & Inclusion
“UCD’s vision for EDI is to be a leader and
role model in equality and diversity in the
higher education sector nationally and
internationally, and for EDI to be at the
heart of all we do”
UCD Equality Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
2018-2020-2025
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4. 4
UCD Library Strategy 2020-2024 -
Library of the Future

5. UCD Library Period Poverty Initiative
Joint initiative to address period poverty on campus
involving:
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UCD
Students
Union
Dean of
Students
UCD
Library

6. 6
Image by Vincent Hoban, IT Services,
University College Dublin
Longest staffed opening hours
on campus
Accessible to all students
Central role in student life on
campus

7. Promotion & Marketing
7
Inclusive marketing
campaign
Physical & virtual spaces
Images created by : UCD Library Outreach Team

8. How it works…
 Free period products in
women’s, men’s and
unisex/wheelchair accessible
bathrooms
 Refilled daily
 Over 11,000 individual items
supplied to date
 Some challenges…
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Image: UCD Library Outreach Team

9. Procurement
Sustainability
Environmental impact
Size of university
19,350 female students and 72 unspecified
Approx. 55% of staff are female
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Campus Challenges
Public procurement process
Image: UCD Library Outreach Team

10. 10
Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash
UMT Student Experience
Working Group
Roll out of pilot scheme
across campus
Library as a catalyst for change

11. 11
Thank you
References:
Plan International Ireland https://www.plan.ie/campaigns/we-need-
to-talk-period/
Period Poverty Sub-Committee, National Strategy for Women and
Girls 2017–2020. (2021). Period poverty in Ireland: Discussion paper.
Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-
poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-
national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/