500 million women worldwide do not have access to menstrual protection

Facts about menstruation and feminine hygiene around the world:

• Traditions and myths hide and limit women’s mobility. The lives of millions of girls are curtailed, and there are cases where girls are not allowed to touch the food or even enter the kitchen during their period.
• One in three women in the world does not have access to the toilet.
• Diseases linked to dirty water and a lack of safe toilets are the fifth biggest killer of women globally.
• Overall, an estimated 500 million women and girls worldwide do not have access to menstrual protection.
• 88 percent of girls and women around the world cannot access safe and sanitary napkins when they menstruate, instead having to use rags, grass, ash, toilet paper, animal skins or old menstrual pads they try to wash.

For the remainder of 2023, Lindex will donate 2% of the proceeds from the sale of Femtech’s Women’s Engineering menstrual panties to the WaterAid organization. In this way, we combat the lack of products necessary for the menstrual period and promote education in women’s hygiene. In total, it is estimated that around 1 million SEK could support WaterAid’s work. Its support could ensure that 5,000 people have access to clean water or provide training in menstrual hygiene to nearly 1,300 school classrooms.

“The menstrual hygiene day is important to us because the woman and her needs form the basis of all our work.

Being able to talk openly about something as natural as menstruation is key to breaking stigma.

We want all women to feel safe every day of the month and not let their periods stop them from reaching their full potential. We make a difference by drawing attention to this important issue and donating some of the menstrual panties sold by our Female Engineering brand. The collaboration with WaterAid is an example of how we are actively working to inspire and encourage women around the world, which is Lindex’s highest goal,” said Suzanne Enboge, Lindex president (Susanne Ehnbåge).

Although menstruation affects half the world’s population, it is a controversial issue surrounded by shame. Forming a strategic partnership with WaterAid, the fashion company is working to disseminate menstruation information, eliminate stigma, and enable governments, authorities and businesses to invest in education, menstrual protection, and access to water and toilets.

“Lindex’s efforts through Female Engineering are a great example of how companies can contribute to addressing the right to menstrual health. “We are very pleased and grateful for our partnership with Lindex and their important commitment to women’s health and well-being,” said Anna Nilsdotter, WaterAid president.

About Women’s Engineering

In 2022, Lindex launched Female Engineering, a Femtech brand that develops innovative and sustainable products to meet the needs of women at different stages of life, such as the menstrual period. The Engineered Women’s Panties are based on Engineered Leak Tech™, a patented technology that causes the three layers of the panty to absorb menstrual blood, prevent leaks and control odor and moisture. The brand’s products were created by Lindex underwear experts and scientists, fabric experts and product and material inventors, taking into account several years of research and development.