Let’s talk about Periods@Work

It’s time to talk about one of the most natural processes – the menstrual cycle. And yes, periods don’t take a break at work. Managing them can be challenging for many employees, whether it’s dealing with unexpected surprises, coping with cramps, mood swings, or feeling low on energy. These issues can significantly affect our focus, productivity, well-being, and self-confidence while at work. Therefore, openly discussing menstruation, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), severe period pain, and menopause, and addressing the needs of employees, is crucial!

There are many good approaches to become more period-positive. Starting with the essentials, ensuring toilets are stocked with menstrual products, along with toilet paper, bins, and soap, is fundamental. This ensures that a tampon or pad is always on hand in case of an “emergency”. Additionally, providing information on alternatives and sustainable options like menstrual cups and period underwear promotes environmental responsibility and empowers personal choice. Supporting pain management and offering access to health advice or flexible working arrangements further enhances employee’s well-being. The list of good practices can go on…

At GIZ, our goal is to make every workday easier and to end the stigma around menstrual and cycle health at work – and we’re already taking big steps towards this (more down below)!

About the Initiative

In 2015, the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction was introduced with a clear mission in mind. Employees from diverse sectors, including education, health, gender, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), united to promote a positive message regarding menstrual health and hygiene. The Periods@Work initiative represents just one facet of this broader effort. Through the organization of special events, impactful campaigns, and collaborations both within and outside of GIZ, the overarching goal is to make menstrual health and hygiene a widely recognized and accepted issue within the company and in the public eye.

Addressing menstrual and cycle health at the workplace is one important way in which GIZ can realise gender equality at a practical level, including strengthening equal opportunities, cultivating a non-discriminatory work environment, and promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors among all employees, irrespective of their gender identity.

What makes this initiative truly unique is its collaborative approach, bringing together various initiatives and colleagues to work on one goal. The periods@work campaign is in close collaboration with the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction, the GIZ Equal Opportunities Team and ELVIS (facility management and procurement), the Medical Services and Corporate Health Management as well as the GIZ Gender Focal Persons Network and the colleagues of the Sustainability and Diversity Offices.

🩸 More information on MenstruAction: MenstruAction – One goal, many initiatives | GIZ Gender

What have we achieved so far?

In May 2023 and to kickstart this conversation, we conducted a GIZ-wide survey involving over 800 colleagues around the world, aiming to identify the situation and the wishes of a period-friendly workplace in HQ and in the country offices, with surprising results. This survey also seeked to document positive practices from our country offices and a better understanding for the needs of menstruating colleagues.

🩸 Read more about the survey results in our first MenstruAction News here.

In May 2023, the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction also organised an event “Periods@work – Why the topic of menstruation belongs at work” at the GIZ Representation in Berlin with colleagues from various areas. This initiative has since led to collaboration with Facility Management and Equal Opportunities Commissioners to explore the feasibility of providing emergency hygiene products in GIZ office toilets across Germany and beyond.

🩸 Re-watch the event here.

Since 2021, the GIZ Equal Opportunities Team has been busy organizing events and creating informational resources on menstrual health, cycle-oriented work, and menopause@work. Through collaboration with Corporate Health Management and Medical Services, ongoing efforts are directed towards promoting gender equality in health.

In May 2023, the GIZ Medical Service made a notable stride by stocking menstrual products in Bonn for emergencies. Furthermore, by the end of last year, the Equal Opportunities Commissioner successfully championed additional measures aimed at establishing a workplace supportive of menstruation.

In the last two years, we have managed to put the taboo topic of menstrual health and hygiene on the agenda at GIZ worldwide with our Periods@work initiative – Our collaborative efforts have earned us the 2nd prize at the GIZ Gender Competition in March 2024!

🩸 For further information on the Gender Competition and our 2nd prize have a look here: https://gender-works.giz.de/gender-competition-2024-gender-mainstreaming/

In August 2024 ELVIS Property Divisions teams installed period product dispensers at German offices in case colleagues get their periods unexpectedly. In December 2023 the Management Board decided that period products should be made available, as essential hygiene articles.

More and more partner countries are also implementing measures and organizing activities around menstrual and cycle health.

More information, resources, links and examples from our country offices can be found here: Let’s talk about periods@work – Info page on menstrual and cycle health (sharepoint.com) (link only works for GIZ colleagues)

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