Update May 2023: The Dignity Kits project has been phased out. We are still delivering period products, just no longer other toiletries! Read more about why we moved on from our kits here.
We provide people, mostly women and girls, living in difficult situations in Amsterdam with Dignity Kits: kits with menstrual products and the most basic of toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo.
Why are these kits necessary?
Here’s the hard truth: in Amsterdam, 1 in 5 people live below the poverty line–and period poverty affects nearly 1 in 10 people who menstruate. In Amsterdam alone, period poverty–or the lack of consistent access to period products–affects 27% of the people who menstruate. This means people must go without period products and hygiene essentials in order to purchase other basic necessities, such as food.
The number of people who have to make tough choices between their basic needs continues to grow, especially in light of the ongoing corona crisis. Period poverty most affects those lacking a secure housing situation or papers. Among other local actions, Neighborhood Feminists provides period products and other essentials through Dignity Kits across Amsterdam for people facing the greatest risk. We are one of the only groups to be systematically addressing this need. Unfortunately, the need for Dignity Kits is far greater than can be currently met.
Help us meet this most basic of human needs in Amsterdam. Make a tangible difference in a person’s life today.
What is in a Dignity Kit?
The contents of a Dignity Kit are based on needs: some people we work with receive kits with only menstrual products. Others, such as people who menstruate and are homeless, also receive other basic toiletries. A full Dignity Kit for these groups contains the following:
- Menstrual pads and liners for one cycle*
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Body wash
- Deodorant (spray or roll-on)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body cream
- Vaseline
- Tissue packs
- Toilet paper
- Comb
- Washcloth
- Nail file and nail clipper
- Underwear
- Socks
*At the request of the people receiving our kits, pads and liners are currently the menstrual products of choice. They are very varied in age, religious background and cultural background, and tampons, cups or other inserted menstrual products can therefore be problematic. Reusable products are not an option because it cannot be guaranteed that they can be washed or sterilised often enough. Of course we provide any other kind of menstrual product upon request, as also outlined in our FAQs!
One full Dignity Kit costs about EUR 15.00 to assemble.
More questions?
Check out some FAQs here.
Wondering how you can contribute?
Help us meet this most basic of human needs right here in Amsterdam. You can currently best support us with a financial donation, so we can go out and get the necessary products to distribute. Read more about how to support us here.
