Tak dla podpasek

at every Polish school!

Did you know that 54% of teenage girls in Poland missed school because of period at least once?

Did you realise that 21% of young girls had to leave classes because they did not have menstrual products?

Have you ever wondered why toilet paper, paper towels and soap are available at schools, hospitals, shopping malls, petrol stations or workplaces but you will not find any pads there?

We do not accept that. It is time to change it. We cannot stand by while there are women living right next to us who are forced to choose between food and a pad.

Yes. These are the facts. It happened to one in five women in Poland that they did not have money to buy proper menstrual products. Women often do not show up at work or school because of period.

We want to address this problem. And we want to start from the basics. Let’s provide pads to all young, menstruating persons in Poland. Let’s eliminate the sense of shame.

Let’s convince them that money does not define who we are. Don’t let them miss school. Let’s give equal chances to all girls and boys in our country.

Let’s provide free access to menstrual products and education on menstrual health at all Polish schools.

We want to follow the example of England, France, Scotland or New Zealand, where such regulations and programmes already exist.

This project is not about politics. It is about human rights. Therefore, we appeal for its support to members of parliament of all political parties and to every non-governmental organisation.

Let’s improve the situation at Polish schools. Together, we can do this.

Let’s say YES to free pads at every Polish school.

Act now,
sign petition to the government!

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    Błażejewska-Stuhr
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    Assumptions of the

    “Yes to Pads” Act

    Periodic Coalition, an association of organisations and female experts who are committed to the normalisation of the period issue, has initiated the creation of the first Polish draft Act on Menstruation.

    The Act is to introduce free access to menstrual products and education on menstrual health at all Polish schools.

    More than 2 million girls aged 9-19 live in Poland now. It means that about 2 million girls who are menstruating or about to menstruate attend school in our country.

    With access to menstruating products and education on menstrual cycle they will go through the menstruation time with dignity and will not miss classes because of menstruation.

    Additionally, proper education will boost their confidence and build a supporting environment among their peers, thus reducing taboo and stigmatisation associated with menstruation.

    Research

    Contrary to common stereotypes, menstruation poverty and exclusion exist in Poland as well and affect young girls to a large extent. It is confirmed by Kulczyk Foundation research from 2020 and 2022.

    0%
    female Poles

    admit that it happened to them that they did not have access to pads and tampons at school during their period

    0%
    of Poles

    think that menstrual products should be available at schools for free

    0%
    teenage girls

    missed school because of period at least once

    0%
    teenage girls

    are not prepared for the first menstruation

    0%
    teenage girls

    had to leave classes because they did not have menstrual products

    Source:
    The report on menstruation from the qualitative and quantitative research, Difference for Kulczyk Foundation
    Survey on access to menstrual products in schools, Kantar commissioned by Kulczyk Foundation

    Our coalition

    Initiators

    Our supporters

    Partners

    Contact

    Coordinator’s contact details
    Joanna Maliszewska-Mazek
    Media contact details
    Marta Bednarz

    Materials to download:

    Act now,
    sign petition