Please note this page will be regularly updated!
General FAQs
Who is behind Neighborhood Feminists?
The NF co-founders are Camila, Anneloes and Tammy. Since February 2021, our team has grown by the addition of two part-time employees. We are also supported by a modest team of volunteers. Read more about us here.
Where can I find your annual report and financial information?
You may download our annual narrative and financial report over 2022 here directly! On some mobile devices, opening that link may not work: you can also flip through the report here. Our ANBI information is here, and you may find previous annual reports at the bottom of that page as well.
What neighborhoods do you currently work in?
Our projects take place across Amsterdam. Our Menstruation Stations are in almost all city districts right now.
How can I support your projects?
Check out our donate page! You can also join us as a volunteer, for example by making deliveries. We are always open for a conversation on what you would like to do and where your skills lie, so do send us a message if you would like to help on our projects!
Are there other ways I can support you, besides becoming a donor?
Absolutely! Here are a few ideas:
Why is your website in English when you’re working in The Netherlands?
Our website is both Dutch and English for two main reasons: the three of us have three different native languages, and the women we work with speak a myriad of languages too. English seemed the best middle ground! If you get in touch with us though, feel free to send a message in Dutch too (or Spanish, or French!).
Are you an official non-profit?
Yes! We are registered as a non-profit foundation at the Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce) under no. 76098834.
Are you an ANBI organisation?
Yes! As of October 30, 2019, we have official ANBI status. This means that the Dutch government has verified that all our work is done for the public benefit and that none of our board members get paid. It also means you can deduct your donations to Neighborhood Feminists from your income tax application in The Netherlands.
Period Poverty FAQs
Period poverty is all too real in neighborhoods across Amsterdam (and the Netherlands, for that matter). As proud as we are to live here, we also know that 1 in 5 people in this city live below the poverty line, and 2022 quantitative research concluded that 27% of Amsterdammers who menstruate struggle to afford period products. We find that unacceptable anywhere, but certainly in such an otherwise wealthy city. Through these Menstruation Stations, we’ve broadened our fight to end period poverty by making products available in public locations accessible to a wider population.
But what’s period poverty?
Period poverty is the lack of regular access to needed period products and/or insufficient access to information on maintaining good menstrual health. Attention is increasing for the problem of period poverty; left unaddressed, it deepens the gender gap in education and work. Amsterdam’s own city council members formally passed a bill in March 2023 rightly recognizing that “access to menstrual products is a basic need and lack of access has negative effects on health…and contributes to gender inequity.”
We believe fighting period poverty is important, because it is as much a matter of equality as it is a matter of public health. People who menstruate need period products. They should be as easily available as toilet paper. We want to ensure this fundamental need is met for everyone who menstruates, so we’ve been taking action to help those in need now.
Why not distribute menstrual cups instead of pads and tampons?
We agree that menstrual cups are an awesome product with very little impact on the environment and lots of benefits for people using them compared to traditional menstrual products – we also use them ourselves! But, menstrual cups have several drawbacks for the group we work with.
First of all, they can have a steep learning curve: something you might imagine people are not in the mood for when they don’t even have a place to sleep for the night. Choosing an option you are familiar with takes up a lot less valuable brain space.
Secondly, the group we work with often prefers menstrual products that do not need to be inserted. They prefer pads over tampons for modesty reasons or because of for example female genital cutting or trauma. Menstrual cups of course need to be inserted, and they are quite large in comparison to tampons as well.
Thirdly, menstrual cups need to be frequently washed with water and soap, and need to be sterilised at least between cycles. The people we work with often do not have continuous access to a clean space to do this.
If anyone requests a menstrual cup however, we are of course more than happy to provide them with one! We occasionally provide them through our Stations, and have also provided people with period underwear, for example.
How many people do you currently support?
We are currently providing more than 800 people with period products each month.
Do you also provide products outside of Amsterdam?
We currently do not, but never say never!
Menstruation Station FAQs
What are Menstruation Stations?
Menstruation Stations are awesome little cabinets stocked (and kept replenished) with free period products for anyone in need, no questions asked
How can I support a Menstruation Station?
For EUR 40 per month you can sponsor a Menstruation Station in Amsterdam, or EUR 500 a year. Any surplus because of buying in bulk or donated products will go to funding new Menstruation Stations. Get in touch with us if you’re interested in meeting this need!