Background & vision
MENSEN is a member-based organization founded in 2014. We are politically and religiously unaffiliated. MENSEN’s feminist vision is a society that respects menstrual rights; everyone should have sufficient information and necessary knowledge about menstrual-related issues and their own body. The infrastructure should take into account the various needs of menstruations as well as secure access to safe and sanitary menstrual products. Everyone should be able to reach out for support and medical care for menstrual-related health issues and receive fair treatment, regardless of the context. The conversation about menstruation should be open; at school, in the workplace, in private life and society at large. Menstruation should also be considered a natural dimension of international humanitarian work.
MENSEN has always been a multifaceted organization that uses various methods to talk about, and increase the knowledge around menstruation, the menstrual cycle and menstrual health. From the very beginning, MENSEN has influenced the public opinion on menstrual-related issues in varous ways, with an intersectional perpective.
Organizational structure
MENSEN is built on driving spirits. The board is elected at the annual general meeting – the highest decision making body within the organization – that is held in February every year. Contact the board at or********@me****.se. Note that all the board members are volunteers and will reply when time allows. For urgent requests – send an email to in**@me****.se.
We are MENSEN
Emy
chair person
After discussing menstruation for countless years in various forums, formal and informal, joining MENSEN became a natural next step for Emy to engage in real menstrual activism. Emy holds a master’s degree in international humanitarian work, focusing on how women’s menstruation is portrayed in humanitarian campaigns. She is particularly interested and engaged in international women’s rights issues.
Ellen
DEPUTY CHAIR PERSON
Ellen has a bachelor’s degree in human rights, a master’s degree in international development and management, and a strong interest in reproductive and sexual health and rights (SRHR). She has written papers on sex education, sex positivity, abortion rights, and has worked on menstrual rights and health in international development projects, analyzing menstrual issues in crisis and conflict situations. She joined MENSEN to engage in menstrual activism that can challenge harmful norms and improve well-being for all who menstruate!
Johanna
board member
Johanna has been involved in youth’s and women’s shelters for many years and works privately as a teacher. There, she daily encounters young people who experience menstrual stigma. She strives to normalize menstruation and creates safe environments for her students to talk openly and curiously about menstruation.
Malin
board member
Malin lives in Stockholm and has an academic background in political science. She has always had a great commitment to issues regarding gender qeuiality, during her studies she was mainly interested in intersectional perspectives. Malin applied to MENSEN because she wants to be involved in the work to promote human rights, and she looks forward to being part of MENSEN’s work.
Olivia
Tresurerer
Olivia is based in Umeå, working part-time at Riksteatern Västerbotten as a performing arts consultant while pursuing a master’s degree in applied cultural studies. Olivia has followed MENSEN’s work for many years and sees board membership in the association as an opportunity to work on feminism and gender equality in practice.
Rebecka
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGER
Rebecka is one of the founders of MENSEN and has been involved in many menstrual activities since the organization started in 2014. Becka has a bachelor in global studies and a master in communications. She has previously been involved in voluntary work related to environmetal issues, human rights, and gender equality. You can contact her at re******************@me****.se
Josefin
Projekt staff
Josefin co-founded MENSEN and can be called one of Sweden’s best-known menstrual profiles. Among other things, she has a doctorate in sociology with the dissertation Menstrual Dirt, researched menopausal health in working life and worked on gender equality issues at Chalmers. At the moment, Josefin is employed in the project Period Works!