19 October, 2021

Code Red, an MTU Period Dignity pilot project tackling period poverty and taboo was launched on 12 October 2021.

The Code Red project is another step towards equality across MTU and will see the provision of free sanitary products in 60 locations across all six MTU campuses in Bishopstown, the School of Music, the College of Art and Design, the National Maritime College, and its two Kerry campuses. The launch also featured a weeklong series of free online workshops and talks tackling period dignity.

Code Red is a collaborative project, involving MTU staff and students with support from local businesses. The Code Red bathroom dispensers, stocked with sustainable single-use sanitary products, have been developed by West Cork start-up Riley, who provide an eco-friendly period product subscription service. Lidl has also come on board to sponsor additional packs of sanitary products available from MTU’s Students Union.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Margaret Linehan, Head of the School of Humanities, with Lauren Duggan of Riley and MTU President Professor Maggie Cusack at the launch of Code Red.

 

Recent Irish research has shown that 50% of young Irish women have experienced issues around affording sanitary products and the Plan International survey found 61% of young women felt too embarrassed to talk about their periods.

Professor Margaret Linehan, Head of MTU School of Humanities, said the university is delighted to be leading the way as the first-third-level institution in Ireland to provide free sanitary products to all those who need them.

“There is still a stigma associated with periods, and indeed all health issues affecting menstruation. Poor understanding, education, and torment from peers around the issue of periods leads to shame and embarrassment for some young people who need access to proper products. We in Code Red are attempting to break the taboo and myths associated with periods and normalise the conversation for all," Professor Linehan added.

More information about MTU Code Red can be found here

Inspired by the #CodeRed launch @MTU_ie our Student Council and Female Lead Society have been supported to launch our own programme of freely available period products for all girls and women across the @StAlsCarrig campus #PeriodDignity #BreakThePeriodTaboo #stalsgirls pic.twitter.com/pjC0Xte1xU

 

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