The Różowa Skrzyneczka (The Pink Box) initiative is an empowering movement aimed at providing free menstrual hygiene products to women and menstruating individuals in need. This grassroots effort, led by the Różowa Skrzyneczka Foundation, is transforming how menstrual health is addressed in public spaces across Poznań. With a growing number of pink boxes installed in various locations throughout the city, this initiative is making significant strides in combating menstrual poverty and promoting menstrual education.
Take if you need; leave if you can
The Mission Behind the Różowa Skrzyneczka
The primary goal of the Różowa Skrzyneczka initiative is to ensure free and easy access to menstrual hygiene products. These pink boxes, filled with pads and tampons, operate on a solidarity-based principle: “take if you need; leave if you can.” The initiative encourages the donation of unopened, single-use products, fostering a community-driven approach to menstrual health support. The foundation also aims to break the stigma surrounding menstruation through education and advocacy.
Expanding Locations in Poznań
Recently, several new pink boxes have been installed in the toilets of various city government buildings, enhancing accessibility for women and girls across Poznań. The newly added locations are:
- Ul. Libelta 16/20:
- Basement waiting room (near room 28)
- Ground floor (near room 95)
- First floor (near room 108b)
- Second floor (near room 230)
- Third floor (near room 331)
- Ul. Gronowa 20ab:
- Ground floor ladies’ restroom
- Pl. Kolegiacki 17:
- Ground floor (near session rooms)
- First floor (near representative rooms)
- Second floor (near room 232)
- Third floor (near room 330)
- Fourth floor (near room 416)
- Fifth floor (near room 518)
- Ul. 3 Maja 46:
- Ground floor ladies’ restroom
- Ul. Matejki 50:
- Ground floor (opposite room 2)
- Ul. Słowackiego 22:
- Ground floor (opposite room 17)
For a complete list of locations, visit the foundation’s website, which is regularly updated to include new points as they are established.
Combating Menstrual Poverty
Menstrual poverty is a pressing issue, with studies indicating that one in six schoolgirls in Poland has missed school due to a lack of access to menstrual products. The Różowa Skrzyneczka initiative directly addresses this by providing essential hygiene products in an anonymous and dignified manner. This effort is particularly important in schools, where access to such products is often restricted to health offices or secretaries, limiting the privacy and convenience for students.
Community and Criticism
While the initiative has garnered widespread support, it has not been without its critics. Some argue that menstrual products should be personally purchased. However, advocates like Adrianna Klimaszewska, co-founder and president of Różowa Skrzyneczka, counter that menstrual hygiene is a basic necessity akin to toilet paper and should be universally accessible. Klimaszewska emphasizes the importance of addressing all forms of poverty, including menstrual poverty, to ensure equality and dignity for all menstruating individuals.
Supporting the Initiative
The success of the pink boxes hinges on community support. Donations are crucial, and the initiative welcomes contributions from individuals, businesses, and local governments. Each box costs approximately 65 złotys to install, and maintaining stock is a continuous effort managed by the hosting institutions. The foundation also actively campaigns for systemic changes to ensure sustainable access to menstrual products.
Impact and Future Goals
The impact of the Różowa Skrzyneczka initiative is already evident. Feedback from locations with installed boxes indicates that they are heavily utilised, providing much-needed relief and fostering a sense of security for users. The foundation continues to advocate for broader implementation of pink boxes in more public spaces, schools, and workplaces to create an inclusive environment where menstrual products are readily available to all who need them.
First and foremost, in every location where a box has been installed, it turns out to be extremely needed. Not once have we received information that a box is not effective; on the contrary, every time we get feedback that girls can feel safe and normal, for example in their school, because they can reach for a pad at any moment
says Adrianna Klimaszewska.
The Różowa Skrzyneczka initiative is a beacon of solidarity and support in Poznań. By addressing menstrual poverty and promoting education, it plays a vital role in ensuring menstrual equity. The continued expansion of these pink boxes throughout the city is a testament to the community’s commitment to supporting and empowering menstruating individuals.
