Beyond the Aisle: Reimagining Menstrual Access for All Bodies & Places

Menstrual health access is a fundamental equity issue that intersects with education, public health, gender inclusion, and socioeconomic status. Despite increased awareness in recent years, access to menstrual products remains inconsistent across educational institutions, ultimately creating barriers to student attendance, dignity, and well-being. 

However, there have been some major strides since 2019 to expand free menstrual product accessibility. For Ontario elementary and high schools, there has been a mix of provincial policy and local school board initiatives. This includes the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB)¹, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB)², Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB)³, Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB)⁴, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)⁵, Halton District School Board (HDSB)⁶, and many others. Many of these initiatives and calls to action were driven by student advocacy. 

Provincial Elementary/Secondary Education Coordination: 

More recently, the Ontario government has attempted to standardize access through the provincial ‘Menstrual Equity Initiative’⁷. In July 2024, the Ministry of Education announced a 3-year agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart to distribute more than 23 million free menstrual products to school boards across the province, along with 1,300 dispensers ⁷. This initiative builds on earlier agreements from 2021-2024. However, implementation specific logistics vary by school and school board. 

Post-Secondary Institutions: 

Despite this progress, the current landscape in post-secondary institutions remains far less standardized, relying on temporary pilot programs or student-led initiatives rather than permanent policy. For example, at McMaster University, our student MSU Club (Period McMaster) and the Period Equity Project run by the Okanagan office have made strides towards narrowing the period poverty equity gap ⁸. 

Other Provinces: 

Other provinces, including British Columbia⁹, Manitoba¹⁰, Newfoundland and Labrador¹¹, and Nova Scotia¹², have also taken some formalized policy approaches to menstrual equity in K-12 education by increasing access through provincial school board policy. However, similar to Ontario, this does not extend into post-secondary education policy on a provincial basis. 

Overall, the current distribution of menstrual equity resources has made major strides in recent years, but gaps still remain surrounding post-secondary institutional policy. 

How can menstrual health resources be more accessible for menstruators in different places (schools, universities, workplace, public places)? 

In many of these spaces, the debate often centres on whether menstrual products should be treated as essential infrastructure (such as toilet paper) or if they should remain dependent on student-led initiatives and limited funding. Workplaces raise additional considerations around employer responsibility, cost, and occupational health standards. 

In public spaces, questions of funding, maintenance and accountability emerge, particularly in transit areas, libraries, and shelters, where access could significantly benefit those facing financial insecurity. Across all settings, the emphasis on barrier-free access would ultimately help reduce stigma and support health equity. 

References: 

1. Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Free menstrual products for students to be provided in HWDSB schools [Internet]. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/blog/free-menstrual-products-for-students-to-be-provided-in-hwdsb-schools/

2. Waterloo Region District School Board. Province Announces Free Menstrual Products in Schools [Internet]. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2021/10/14/province-announces-free-menstrual-products-in-schools/

3. Thames Valley District School Board. Ministry support enhances TVDSB menstrual initiative. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://glencairn.tvdsb.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=22a54cdc-9e20-473c-bbaf-ef365431740d,7c5bcd31-3f64-4883-a1e0-6cce7d856514&newsId=173e7b51-ac9d-40d4-b067-e1c8078a7df8 

4. Upper Grand District School Board. Upper Grand District School Board introducing Period Equity program in local schools. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/upper-grand-district-school-board-introducing-period-equity-program-in-local-schools/ 

5. Toronto District School Board. TDSB to Provide Free Menstrual Products to Students. 2019. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1347/TDSB-to-Provide-Free-Menstrual-Products-to-Students

6. Inside Halton. Halton District School Board to provide free menstrual products in all schools. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.insidehalton.com/news/halton-district-school-board-to-provide-free-menstrual-products-in-all-schools/article_a910b4d7-7eee-5584-9e52-84d53b021bac.html

7. Ontario. Ontario Increasing Access to Free Menstrual Products in Schools. 2023. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004870/ontario-increasing-access-to-free-menstrual-products-in-schools 

8. McMaster Libraries. Pilot project puts free menstrual hygiene products in washrooms on McMaster’s campus. 2023. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://library.mcmaster.ca/news/pilot-project-puts-free-menstrual-hygiene-products-washrooms-mcmasters-campus.

9. Government of British Columbia. Government supports access to free menstrual products for students, people in need. 2019. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019sdpr0033-000587

10.  Manitoba. Manitoba Government Announces Free Menstrual Products in Schools. 2022. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=56301 

11. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ensuring All Students Have Access to Period Products in Schools. 2021. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2021/exec/1025n03/ 

12.  Government of Nova Scotia. Free Menstrual Products Available in Schools. 2019. [Cited 2026 Jan 13]. Available from: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2019/09/17/free-menstrual-products-available-schools