From the Basics to Going Further: What Real Period Dignity Looks Like
Every August, Women’s Month brings a renewed conversation about period dignity, equality, and support. At Bidvest Steiner, we believe equipping washrooms with feminine hygiene dispensers shows women real support as it provides them with solutions to give them one less thing to worry about. Here’s what improving washroom environments looks like, in practice.
Let’s Start with the Essentials
Every women’s washroom should, at minimum, be equipped with:
- SHE Bins for discreet, hygienic sanitary waste disposal in every cubicle.
- SHE Packet Holders for discreet and clean disposal of pads and tampons.
- Seat cleaner to have access to a clean and sanitised toilet seat when needed. Dignity also means having access to a clean environment.
- Toilet paper stocked and available in every cubicle. This is also a basic provision required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Soap available at the basin, so hands can actually be washed properly.
- Hand drying dispensers that provide paper or air to enable users to dry their hands after washing
These are the standard requirements that we believe every workplace, school, and public facility should be providing.
Addressing Period Dignity by Providing Access to Pads and Tampons
For facilities that want to lead and not just comply, the next step would be to supply period products in washrooms for ladies to use at their convenience.
- The Pads on a Roll dispenser is a compact, in-cubicle pad dispensers, available exactly where and when they’re needed.
- The Feminine Hygiene Dispensers provide a reliable option that provides access to pads and tampons in the washroom.
- Feminine Hygiene Vending Dispensers provide access via controlled methods such as token-vending options for flexible, controlled access.
At Bidvest Steiner, we know that no two facilities are the same, so this shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all decision. Whether it’s making supplies openly available or an option to only dispense items via a token allocation. You may want a single washroom or a full multi-site rollout solution. We offer options tailored to all environments.
This is what sets a facility apart in the South African market, not just meeting a standard, but showing real consideration for the people who use the space every day.
Beyond Period Dignity: Responsible Disposal Matters
Providing a SHE Bin is only half the job. What happens to that waste afterwards is just as important. When making use of Bidvest Steiner SHE bins, you know your waste will be handled responsibly.
At Bidvest Steiner, SHE waste is responsibly disposed of through a process called autoclaving. This is a sterilisation process that treats sanitary waste safely before disposal, reducing health risks and environmental impact. This is an important consideration as it completes the cycle from providing the necessities to responsible removal and disposal.
Why This Matters: All Year, Everywhere
Women’s Day is a reminder, not a deadline. The need for period dignity, hygiene, and support doesn’t take a break after August and it doesn’t stop at the office door either. Schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, retail spaces – every environment where women spend their time deserves the same standard of care.
At Bidvest Steiner, we’re proud to help organisations across South Africa move from good intentions to real infrastructure. This Women’s Month, let’s not just talk about support, let’s install it, service it, and stand behind it, every day of the year.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Let us help you build a washroom standard that puts women and their period dignity first — from the basics to going further. Together we can give women one less thing to worry about.
Contact us:
📞 0860 10 11 80
🌐 https://steiner.co.za/contact/www.steiner.co.za/contact
Read more on this topic:
From Convenience to Necessity: 5 Reasons to Implement Feminine Hygiene Dispensers in Washrooms