Menstruation is a natural process that affects more than half of the student and staff population at the University of the Free State (UFS). It is a topic that should be openly discussed and advocated without any fear, discomfort, or stigma, says Gernus Terblanche, Assistant Researcher and Head of the Engaged Scholarship Office in Student Affairs.

To address this, the UFS Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) student group, the Division of Student Affairs: Student Life (Engaged Scholarship); the Directorate of Community Engagement, the School of Nursing second-year students, students of Enactus UFS (comprising Law and Social Justice students), and KovsieACT are involved in a project to promote sustainable menstrual health solutions. This initiative provides education on menstrual health, menstrual health products, and sustainable management practices, while also working to destigmatise conversations, making sure that it is not seen as a ‘taboo’ topic.

Dispelling myths and misinformation

The project also has the Mina Foundation as a community partner. Besides providing free menstrual cups for students and educational support on their use, the foundation also offers opportunities for students to ask questions about the product that is currently not widely known and understood.

Terblanche says many of the students at the university come from an economic background that makes it difficult for them to access more ‘traditional’ forms of menstrual health and hygiene products. “We therefore want to ensure that students have many options available. The project strives to educate people on different products that might suit their needs. This includes reusable products, more ‘traditional’ products, and products for different comfort levels,” he remarks.

Open to everyone, the campaign also encourages non-menstruating individuals to participate in these conversations. “We want to dispel myths and misinformation, helping our students feel comfortable discussing menstruation and reproductive health,” Terblanche says.

The second-year Nursing students are also playing an important role in this project. Their academic knowledge and professional skills contributed to an accessible, practical, and approachable conversation about menstrual health. Terblanche says this programme will be adapted to form part of the service-learning curriculum of the second-year Nursing students. He believes this will ensure more regular discussions and the overall de-stigmatisation of the topic.

Reducing waste and financial pressures

So far, around 100 cups have been distributed. Terblanche says that they received positive feedback from several of the Nursing students regarding the ease and comfort associated with the use of the products, and they also shared this with the other students at a workshop. “Active research projects on the use of the products will be done to determine the overall impact of the use of these products by students,” he adds.

Besides comfort, Mina cups also offer long-term benefits. According to Terblanche, each cup can be used for approximately five to ten years if treated correctly. “This means that for a minimum of five years no menstrual pads or tampons will be used, which regularly end up in landfills. This will therefore have an active impact that not only reduces waste from the products and their packaging material, but also reduces financial pressure where students do not have to buy menstrual health products as often.