About the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion "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," where women cannot afford 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 similar initiatives have 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 need, 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.

In April 2018, Keio University established the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 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 such efforts should not be one-off events. Instead, a continuous support system is needed to help female students resolve various anxieties and problems related to their own "bodies" during their university life.

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

1. Introduction of OiTr: OiTr, Inc. has launched a service called OiTr (Oitel) that provides free sanitary napkins in private restroom 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 further expansion are also underway.

2. Free Distribution of Sanitary Products: In July 2021, an initiative to distribute free sanitary products to female students facing financial anxiety was launched and is being continued. Applications are opened multiple 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 and 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 both "women's bodies" and "men's bodies." Specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, breast surgery, and urology are available for consultations.

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." Additionally, roundtable discussions are held where Keio students, faculty, and staff can interact with specialists. Video archives are also made available for those who could not attend on the day. (FY2021 results: "How to Deal with Your 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 project was triggered by the content of a student survey, we intend to continue conducting regular surveys of Keio students and reflect the results in the project's activities.

In addition to promoting these activities in an easy-to-understand manner, a dedicated site has been opened within the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website to raise broad awareness of the project's existence.

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

By continuing this project, the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion aims 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 implementing various activities to further enhance the inclusive environment within Keio.