
Politecnico di Torino chooses to highlight “having a period is neither a luxury nor a choice” by installing 5 free pads dispensers in the university Turin’s locations. The road to gender equality also involves attention and support for female students during menstruation to safeguard the right to physical and psychological well-being.
Tampons that will be distributed are made in Italy according to principles of environmental sustainability during the entire production cycle. Under the initiative “Period Equity”, free “emergency” cotton organic pads vending machines have been installed in all university Turin’s locations: corso Duca degli Abruzzi, via Boggio, Mirafiori, Castello del Valentino and Lingotto.
The action was provided for in the University's Gender Equality Plan 2021-2024 “Diversity Goal”, in keeping with the request made to the Board of Directors by some student associations. The initiative found a response in similar ones at other Italian universities and in the general mobilization launched on March 8 by Rete della Conoscenza (a network of student associations), in conjunction with the global women’s strike – also following the taxation of these products at the ordinary rate of 22 percent, which effectively equates them with ordinary goods and not primary necessities.