Initiative to Install Sanitary Napkin Dispensers in Shibuya's Public Facilities
In a significant move towards promoting women's health and well-being, the Shibuya Future Design organization, in collaboration with the Shibuya Ward and Unicharm Corporation, has initiated a pilot project to install sanitary napkin dispensers in public facilities across Shibuya. Starting on October 15, 2023, this initiative is aimed not only at creating a secure environment for women but also at deepening societal understanding of issues related to menstrual health, period poverty, and the challenges faced by women during their menstrual cycles.
The main goal of this pilot program is to establish a supportive environment for women by ensuring access to sanitary products when unexpected menstruation occurs. Additionally, it aims to assist those who cannot afford menstrual products due to economic reasons. The dispensers will be located in various public facilities throughout the district, designed with hygiene and psychological safety in mind to ensure user comfort and confidence. Each dispenser will feature individually packaged, fully sealed sanitary pads, enabling easy access while maintaining high hygiene standards. This setup will not only cater to immediate needs but also ensures that people facing financial or environmental constraints can obtain menstrual products without a sense of burden.
Shibuya Ward and Shibuya Future Design are committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive comfortably. In March 2022, Shibuya Future Design launched a wellness project titled "Our Wellness Action" to promote women’s health, integrating menstruation as a focal theme. This led to discussions in the 2023 "Social Innovation Week" titled "Beyond Period Poverty," where government officials, corporations, and media sought to address critical issues, emphasizing the significant data gaps and lack of understanding surrounding menstruation and female health.
Since January 2023, Shibuya Future Design and Unicharm have been collaborating on life planning awareness activities targeted at citizens of Shibuya. This pilot project is a coherent extension of these ongoing efforts. Throughout the pilot phase, a survey will be conducted in Shibuya Ward to understand local needs better and inform policies and awareness campaigns aimed at addressing challenges faced by women.
Designated Facilities (22 total):
1. Shibuya City Hall (1-1 Udagawacho)
2. Haseyato Community Education Center (1-23-4 Ebisu Nishicho)
3. Central Library (1-4-1 Jingu-mae)
4. Sendagaya Community Education Center (1-6-5 Sendagaya)
5. Nishihara Library (2-28-9 Nishihara)
6. Kamiyama Community Education Center (3-13-8 Kamiyama)
7. Tomigaya Library (1-46-2 Kamiyama)
8. Sports Center (1-40-18 Nishihara)
9. Honmachi Library (1-33-5 Honmachi)
10. Higashi Health Plaza (3-14-13 Higashi)
11. Rinzan Community Library (1-9-17 Hiroo)
12. Daikanyama Sports Plaza (17-9 Daikanyama)
13. Yoyogi Library (3-51-8 Yoyogi)
14. Sarugakucho Training Gym (12-35 Sarugakucho)
15. Sasazuka Children's Library (3-3-1 Sasazuka)
16. Honmachi Community Center (4-39-1 Honmachi)
17. Hatagaya Community Education Center (2-50-2 Hatagaya)
18. Friends Honmachi Youth Center (6-6-2 Honmachi)
19. Ebisu Community Education Center (2-27-18 Ebisu)
20. Shibuya Parenting Nevorra (5-6 Udagawacho)
21. Shibuya Inclusive City Center (8F Daito Cultural Center, 23-21 Sakuragaokacho)
22. Citizen Service Center / Shibuya Lifelong Activity Network (8F Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya)
Duration of Implementation:
From October 15, 2023, to December 26, 2023.
Shibuya Future Design is an organization that leverages diversity and inclusion principles to collect ideas and talents from various people residing, working, studying, and visiting Shibuya. Through open innovation, it seeks to devise solutions and possibilities to address societal challenges. By presenting new potentialities of urban life from Shibuya to the world, the organization aims to contribute to the sustainable development of not only Shibuya but society as a whole.
Website
Overview of the Pilot Program
The main goal of this pilot program is to establish a supportive environment for women by ensuring access to sanitary products when unexpected menstruation occurs. Additionally, it aims to assist those who cannot afford menstrual products due to economic reasons. The dispensers will be located in various public facilities throughout the district, designed with hygiene and psychological safety in mind to ensure user comfort and confidence. Each dispenser will feature individually packaged, fully sealed sanitary pads, enabling easy access while maintaining high hygiene standards. This setup will not only cater to immediate needs but also ensures that people facing financial or environmental constraints can obtain menstrual products without a sense of burden.
Background of the Initiative
Shibuya Ward and Shibuya Future Design are committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive comfortably. In March 2022, Shibuya Future Design launched a wellness project titled "Our Wellness Action" to promote women’s health, integrating menstruation as a focal theme. This led to discussions in the 2023 "Social Innovation Week" titled "Beyond Period Poverty," where government officials, corporations, and media sought to address critical issues, emphasizing the significant data gaps and lack of understanding surrounding menstruation and female health.
Since January 2023, Shibuya Future Design and Unicharm have been collaborating on life planning awareness activities targeted at citizens of Shibuya. This pilot project is a coherent extension of these ongoing efforts. Throughout the pilot phase, a survey will be conducted in Shibuya Ward to understand local needs better and inform policies and awareness campaigns aimed at addressing challenges faced by women.
Locations and Duration of Dispenser Installations
Designated Facilities (22 total):
1. Shibuya City Hall (1-1 Udagawacho)
2. Haseyato Community Education Center (1-23-4 Ebisu Nishicho)
3. Central Library (1-4-1 Jingu-mae)
4. Sendagaya Community Education Center (1-6-5 Sendagaya)
5. Nishihara Library (2-28-9 Nishihara)
6. Kamiyama Community Education Center (3-13-8 Kamiyama)
7. Tomigaya Library (1-46-2 Kamiyama)
8. Sports Center (1-40-18 Nishihara)
9. Honmachi Library (1-33-5 Honmachi)
10. Higashi Health Plaza (3-14-13 Higashi)
11. Rinzan Community Library (1-9-17 Hiroo)
12. Daikanyama Sports Plaza (17-9 Daikanyama)
13. Yoyogi Library (3-51-8 Yoyogi)
14. Sarugakucho Training Gym (12-35 Sarugakucho)
15. Sasazuka Children's Library (3-3-1 Sasazuka)
16. Honmachi Community Center (4-39-1 Honmachi)
17. Hatagaya Community Education Center (2-50-2 Hatagaya)
18. Friends Honmachi Youth Center (6-6-2 Honmachi)
19. Ebisu Community Education Center (2-27-18 Ebisu)
20. Shibuya Parenting Nevorra (5-6 Udagawacho)
21. Shibuya Inclusive City Center (8F Daito Cultural Center, 23-21 Sakuragaokacho)
22. Citizen Service Center / Shibuya Lifelong Activity Network (8F Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya)
Duration of Implementation:
From October 15, 2023, to December 26, 2023.
About Shibuya Future Design
Shibuya Future Design is an organization that leverages diversity and inclusion principles to collect ideas and talents from various people residing, working, studying, and visiting Shibuya. Through open innovation, it seeks to devise solutions and possibilities to address societal challenges. By presenting new potentialities of urban life from Shibuya to the world, the organization aims to contribute to the sustainable development of not only Shibuya but society as a whole.
Website
Topics Health）
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