– The first thing I did was take a picture of it. I have never seen it before, says student Tuda Oussous. As the first university in Norway, the University of Bergen (UiB) has now started a trial project with free tampons, panty liners and pads in the toilets on campus. – I think it’s really, really cool. Suddenly you get your period during a lecture. Knowing that you can run straight down here, get a tampon and be safe is fantastic, says Andrea Nesvik Voss, deputy leader of the Student Parliament at UiB. This dispenser contains pads, tampons and panty liners. So far, they are only available in one size on the product. Photo: Linnea Skare Oskarsen / news For the time being, dispensers have been placed at the Studentsenteret, Odontologibygget and Jussbygget. If the project works well, the university will consider expanding the project. – I hope the scheme will be bigger and available on the whole campus, says Nesvik Voss. For urgent situations Vice Chancellor at UiB. Pinar Heggernes, welcomes the project. – I completely agree with the students that this should be a free offer for all women. If we can make everyday life a little easier at least for the students on our campus, I will be very happy about it. Pro-rector at UiB Pinar Heggernes welcomes free pads and tampons to the campus. Photo: Linnea Skare Oskarsen / news How much the project will cost depends on how popular the offer is. The university will look at this during the autumn. She adds that the offer is primarily for emergency situations. – You have to get past the crisis, and get to the shop or your dormitory to get the rest. Expects the government to take action Another person who is happy about the news is Helle Sofie Sagøy. She has fought for the University of Agder to offer free pads and tampons. – I hope the University of Agder can follow in the footsteps of UiB, she says. Maika Godal Godal Dam, head of the Norwegian Student Organisation, is also happy that the university is taking responsibility. She hopes more will be done at authority level to ensure access to menstrual products. – I expect the Minister of Health and the rest of the government to take responsibility for us seeing such initiatives at other educational institutions. Leaders in NSO want the government to take responsibility for several universities offering menstrual products. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) says that there are no plans to introduce free pads and tampons in Norway. Nesvik Voss in Bergen nevertheless believes that more will follow suit. – We have a lot of contact with other student politicians, and they were keen to get more information so that they could see this for themselves.
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– Fantastic – news Vestland
