Olst-Wijhe teams up with Poverty Fund to combat period poverty with free menstrual products
One in eight young girls and women in Olst-Wijhe face period poverty, forcing them to skip school or work. The municipality is now partnering with the Poverty Fund to provide free menstrual products at distribution points, aiming to ease financial strain and improve daily life.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Issue | Period poverty affects 1 in 8 young girls and women in Olst-Wijhe. |
| Solution | Free menstrual products at distribution points (MPDPs). |
| Current MPDPs | Holstohus (Olst) and ’t SPOC (Wijhe). |
| Available Slots | 2 additional MPDPs can be opened. |
| Deadline for Applications | 1 July 2026. |
| Contact for MPDP Registration | Municipality of Olst-Wijhe: 14 0570. |
| Partnership Duration | Initially one year. |
| Impact | Reduces school/work absenteeism and improves quality of life. |
The municipal executive board of Olst-Wijhe is responsible for local welfare policies, including initiatives to combat poverty and improve public health. By collaborating with the Poverty Fund Foundation, the municipality aims to address period poverty as part of its broader social support agenda.
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Collaboration with Poverty Fund to tackle period poverty
The municipal executive board will enter into a collaboration with the Poverty Fund Foundation to reduce period poverty within our municipality. This partnership, initially for one year, follows from a council motion aimed at making menstrual products more accessible to residents who need them.
Room for two additional distribution points
What if there isn’t enough money to pay for daily hygiene products, such as shampoo, deodorant, or sanitary pads? For one in eight young girls and women, the latter is a reality. They face period poverty: due to financial worries, they cannot always afford sanitary pads or tampons. The consequences are significant: girls may feel compelled to call in sick from school, miss sports activities, and women may sometimes be unable to go to work. At a menstrual product distribution point (MPDP), girls and women can take free menstrual products if they cannot afford them themselves. Based on the number of residents, a maximum of four menstrual product distribution points (MPDPs) can be opened in Olst-Wijhe. The Poverty Fund Foundation will assess which locations are suitable for this purpose.
MPDPs in Olst-Wijhe
On 25 March, MPDPs were established at Holstohus in Olst and ’t SPOC in Wijhe. This means there is still room for two more. If you, as an individual, organisation, or association, would like more information or wish to register as a potential MPDP, please contact the municipality by 1 July 2026 via telephone number 14 0570. After this date, the municipality and the Poverty Fund Foundation will jointly determine which locations are most suitable.