'Code Red' aims to stamp out period poverty on Munster campuses

"If toilet paper is free, then sanitary products should be as well,” Ellen O’Shea, MTU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team said.

Lisa Moran, Graduate Studies MTU and Head of the School of Humanities Prof. Margaret Linehan at the launch of the Code Red project. Photo: Darragh Kane

An important step towards gender equality is being made at Munster Technological University through innovative project Code Red which aims to stamp out period poverty on campus.

Free organic cotton-based sanitary products from Irish company We Are Riley will be installed in 60 dispensers across all MTU campuses in Cork and Kerry from October 12. Period poverty affects 1 in 2 teenagers in Ireland according to anytimeofthemonth.com and 50% of young Irish women have experienced issues around affording sanitary products.