FA fights menstrual poverty with design trays

Abroad, it is standard practice for schools and public buildings to provide sanitary towels and tampons directly in toilets. Such a move increases the comfort of menstruating women and also helps to combat 'menstrual poverty', a situation where people cannot afford adequate sanitary supplies for financial reasons. This approach is also gaining support in the Czech Republic.

The workshop ran from 30 September to 2 December 2024. Out of 29 designs created by male and female students, the expert jury selected the three best to be implemented as prototypes.

Pavlína Poláková designed a tray as a hinged binder, painted in colours typical of the CTU FA. The binder is designed to allow easy refilling and maintenance. Štěpán Šuster has created a set of pink carriers, which represents the faculty's floor plan and uses a module of tiles in the toilets. Tereza Cvrčková hung the tray directly on the toilet door and placed a pictogram on the outside door for easy finding. Installation and dismantling are quick and without structural modifications.

"Lack of menstrual supplies is a problem that affects women in the Czech Republic. This project not only improves the availability of sanitary products but also contributes to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all," said jury member Lu Gregorova from Sola Helps.

The workshop received positive feedback from students, faculty management, and representatives of other universities. "My colleagues from AVU have already expressed interest in several trays, and other schools are seriously considering acquiring them," added FA ombudsperson Dita Jahodová.

The faculty has previously operated a guerrilla box with pads and tampons. Klára Brůhová, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission, who initiated the box and also participated in preparing the workshop, welcomes the activity. "I am happy that the management responded quickly—not only by funding the workshop but also by promising to ensure regular purchase of menstrual supplies for the new boxes."

Workshop coordinator and architecture student Tomáš Vojtíšek appreciated the students' interest. "We are pleased that the project is resonating not only as a design challenge but also as a socially important topic."

Since 2 December, all the designs and three prototypes have been on display in the atrium of the Faculty of Architecture of the CTU and in the toilets on the ground floor.