At the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU Prague), we support health, dignity, and fair study conditions. One of the initiatives through which we put these values into practice — while also responding to a broader societal discussion — is the introduction of free menstrual product dispensers.
Since Spring 2026, free sanitary pads and tampons have been available in restrooms at FTZ CZU. The aim of the project is to provide support in situations where hygiene products are unexpectedly needed or not easily accessible.
Menstrual poverty has become an increasingly discussed topic in recent years. An important step forward in the Czech Republic is the amendment to the public health regulation, which from 2026 requires primary and secondary schools to ensure free access to menstrual products. FTZ CZU has decided to actively build on this trend and extend support to the university environment as well.
“We believe that even a seemingly small measure can have a meaningful impact on student well-being, confidence, and equal access to education. Our goal is to create an open, welcoming, and considerate university environment,” says Mgr. Simona Marková, Bachelor’s Degree Programme Officer and member of the student support and counselling team at FTZ CZU.
The project also contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Solidarity at the core of the project
The entire initiative is based on a simple principle of solidarity. The faculty kindly asks users of the dispensers to take only as many products as they truly need at a given moment. This helps ensure that the products remain available for everyone who may unexpectedly need them.
Cross-institutional collaboration
The installation of the dispensers would not have been possible without collaboration with institutions and experts focusing on the accessibility of hygiene products and public space design.
FTZ CZU would especially like to thank:
- Lucie Gregorová (Sola Pomáhá) for expert consultations on menstrual poverty and prevention,
- Mgr. Dita Jahodová, Ombudsperson of the Faculty of Architecture at CTU, for supporting the initiative and connecting the faculty with colleagues from FA CTU,
- Bc. Tomáš Vojtíšek (FA CTU), coordinator of the design-build workshop focused on functional and aesthetically refined dispenser design,
- Pavlína Poláková (FA CTU), author of the selected dispenser design, which received an award at Designblok 2025.
The faculty believes that the introduction of menstrual product dispensers will contribute to greater comfort, confidence, and equal conditions for all students and visitors.
