Beyond the stigma UWCSEA students are leading the charge towards period equity
GEP Focus group East Campus
25 November 2024
Imagine a world where everyone has access to the essentials they need, free from worry or stigma.
This vision drives UWCSEA’s student-led focus groups in Service learning, empowering students to tackle social justice issues by collaborating with local and global organisations to create real-world advocacy campaigns and sustainable solutions. One such group, Generation. Education. Period. (GEP), is working to combat period poverty, end menstrual shaming, and promote sustainable sanitary products. Their partnership with LUÜNA, a woman-led social enterprise focused on menstrual health and gender equity, provides free menstrual products for Grade 4 to 12 students on both campuses.
Creating change together
This initiative is about normalising conversations around periods and building a supportive, inclusive community.
– Team GEP
Key members, including Saachi, Jia GEP Co Chairs, Tanay (Student Council), and Soumya Tandon ’24 (former GEP Chair), teamed up with LUÜNA’s CEO, Olivia CotesJames, and GEP teacher facilitator Mentor Melanie Wilson to make this initiative a success. Together, they installed dispensers in a number of restrooms, including a gender-neutral restroom, offering eco-friendly menstrual products for all students. Students have shared how much they appreciate the easy access, saying it’s made a real difference in their daily school life.
“Working with the students at UWCSEA showed me what real change-makers look like—full of fresh ideas, energy, and a genuine commitment to making a difference. These traits embody future innovators and leaders.”
– Olivia Coates-James,
Founder and CEO of LUÜNA
From pilot to progress
After a successful pilot on East Campus, Dover Campus Student Council members Rehan and Julie, both in Grade 11, took the lead in expanding the initiative to their campus, with support from Rebecca Smith (formerly High School Vice-Principal and now Middle School Principal). Sanitary products are now available in designated restrooms on both campuses, making sure students always have access whenever they need it!
“Working with the student team and LUÜNA to bring this project to life has been both eye-opening and rewarding. We’ll continue collaborating to ensure gender equity in period care becomes a reality at UWCSEA.”
– Melanie Wilson, GEP’s teacher facilitator
Looking ahead, the team is committed to raising awareness of menstrual health and potentially integrating it into UWCSEA’s Personal and Social Education (PSE) curriculum. This project is one of many led by UWCSEA students who bring Service learning to life; sparking real action in a community where inclusion and support are tangible for everyone.
Restrooms stocked with sanitary products on campus!
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East Campus Restroom Locations |
Dover Campus Restroom Locations |
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