About the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion's "Women's Body Support: Breeze Project"

The spread of COVID-19 that began in 2020 has certainly affected Keio University, significantly impacting the economic situation of Keio students. To address this, in addition to various scholarships, the university has implemented initiatives such as distributing "meal tickets" usable on campus under the title "'Food Support' to Protect the Lives of Keio Students," aiming to alleviate the financial distress of families and the anxiety of Keio students living away from home.

Meanwhile, the issue of so-called "period poverty," involving women unable to purchase sanitary products for financial reasons, has been raised by the Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Office. In parallel with its "Food Support," Keio University conducted a free distribution of sanitary products across all six campuses in July 2021. While this initiative has been implemented at other universities and the distribution followed that trend, the response far exceeded expectations, reaching the limit of 500 sets in less than half a day after applications opened online. According to the results of a student survey conducted at that time, in addition to descriptions of desperate situations from Keio students in financial distress, there were vivid accounts raising issues about the long-term expenses required only for women to purchase sanitary products, various concerns unique to women's bodies, and questions for society.

Keio University established the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in April 2018 to fulfill the purpose of "building an environment where faculty, staff, and students respect each other's personalities, recognize diverse values, and live together cooperatively, and to promptly address issues related to the acceptance of diversity." While the recent free distribution of sanitary products was carried out by this office, the survey results suggested that the initiative should not be a one-time event. Instead, it indicated the need for a continuous support system to help female students resolve various anxieties and problems regarding their own "bodies" during their university life.

Based on this situation, the "Women's Body Support: Breeze Project" initiative was born. In other words, rather than implementing one-off projects, it represents a stance of looking at "women's body support" holistically and working to solve those problems. This initiative is based on the following five main pillars of activity.

① Introduction of OiTr: OiTr, Inc. has launched a service called OiTr (Oiteru) that provides free sanitary napkins in private toilet stalls at shopping malls, offices, schools, and public facilities nationwide. Keio University began installing these in December 2021. As of January 2022, a total of 71 units have been installed and are in use across all six campuses. Preparations for additional installations are also underway.

② Free Distribution of Sanitary Products: In July 2021, an initiative to provide free sanitary products to female students facing financial anxiety was launched and is being continued. Recruitment is conducted several times a year, and products are distributed to those who request them. (FY2021 results: 3 times, in July, October, and January)

③ Establishment of the "Women's Body/Men's Body Consultation Room": Focusing on "how to deal with one's own body," a consultation desk was established at the Health Center to address concerns and questions unique to "women's bodies" and "men's bodies." Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, breast surgery, and urology are available for consultation.

④ Holding "Women's Body Support" Lectures and Roundtables: Lectures by specialists are held on themes such as "how to deal with one's own body." Along with these, roundtables are held where Keio students, faculty, and staff can interact with specialists. Additionally, video archives are made available for those who could not attend on the day. (FY2021 results: "How to Deal with Your Own Body" held on October 26, "The Relationship Between Women's Bodies and Hormones" held on January 26)

⑤ Conducting "Women's Body Support" Surveys: Emphasizing that the catalyst for this project was the content of a survey for Keio students, we intend to continue conducting regular surveys for Keio students and reflect the results in the project's activities.

In addition to publicizing these activities in an easy-to-understand manner, a dedicated site has been opened within the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website to widely promote the existence of the project.

◆Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion "Women's Body Support: Breeze Project" Website

By continuing this project, the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion hopes to multifacetedlly and proactively promote "wellness through body maintenance support" for Keio students, faculty, and staff. Furthermore, in accordance with the spirit of the "Charter for the Promotion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion," we intend to continue various activities to further enhance the inclusive environment within Keio.