"Dealing tampons" in the schoolyard, on campus or at work? Many menstruating people are familiar with this term and the situation behind it: The cycle starts, the bleeding starts and then it happens that you don't have anything with you that day. But instead of asking others for a tampon or sanitary towel as a matter of course, people whisper and often pass the urgently needed item from A to B in secret. Hence the term "dealing". Of course, not everyone deals with this situation in this way, but it is clear that the topic of menstruation is still a taboo subject. This is set to change at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences!

HSN is one of the first universities in Thuringia to provide sanitary towels and tampons free of charge in the winter semester 2022/23 with the "HSN cares" campaign, which was launched in cooperation with the Berlin-based company "einhorn products".

The focus is on taking menstruating women and their needs seriously, showing solidarity, reducing discrimination and taking menstruation out of the taboo zone.

The responsibility of being prepared for the onset of menstruation at all times is still placed solely in the hands of menstruating people. Just like the expectation that the financing of these products should be borne individually. Studies even describe the phenomenon of "peroid poverty" in this regard, i.e. not being able to afford menstrual products, which can also affect students.

The Diversity Officer at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, Prof Dr Sabrina Schramme, explains further: "Individual responsibility, which can even have an impact on participation in study content, puts menstruating people at a disadvantage compared to non-menstruating people. Even very well-organised people sometimes forget something. There are also many reasons why menstrual cycles may be irregular or delayed (stress, illness, breastfeeding, menopause, etc.). However, this should not be a disadvantage, especially in an educational context. This is why Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences wants to ensure that their relatives know that they will be looked after if necessary. In a caring society, menstruation is everyone's business."

"Issues of equal rights affect very different areas of life, which a university should also help to shape. The introduction of free period products is a step in this direction," adds Prof Dr Sabine Seibold-Freund, Equal Opportunities and Family Affairs Officer.

To ensure that the products are as accessible as possible for all menstruating women, the university is equipping its barrier-free and all-gender toilets in particular as part of the pilot project.

"I saw one of the first lovingly designed baskets in one of the toilets earlier. I think it's an appreciative signal from the university and a great idea - as do many of my fellow students," reports student Rebekka.

The project was initiated by Christiane Oeftiger (university employee in the Prof X project) together with the Vice President for Studies and Teaching Prof Dr Cordula Borbe, the Diversity Officer Prof Dr Sabrina Schramme in cooperation with the Equal Opportunities and Family Officer Prof Dr Sabine Seibold-Freund and committed students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.