Gateway to Sustainability in Japan

Menstrual care for families with Unicharm’s SOFY Project

As exam season approaches, menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) pose significant challenges for female students. These issues make it difficult for them to focus on their studies and exams. To address this issue, Unicharm Corporation’s wellness care brand “SOFY” launched the “#MenstrualCareIsSupport” project on November 29, 2024. This initiative aims to empower women to reach their full potential while fostering deeper communication between parents and children.

A survey conducted by SOFY revealed that 71% of female students find it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to menstrual symptoms such as headaches and abdominal pain. However, 47% of mothers were unaware of their daughters’ struggles related to menstruation. While 60% of mothers reported being able to discuss menstruation with their daughters, only 43% of daughters felt the same, highlighting a communication gap between parents and children. In response to these findings, SOFY has developed various initiatives to encourage open dialogue about menstruation within families.

One of the key efforts is a promotional video titled “Menstrual Care is Support,” which highlights the importance of addressing menstruation through the lens of family bonds and mutual support. Additionally, a collaboration with Kyogakusha has resulted in the creation of “The Red Book on Menstruation,” a free guide available at bookstores nationwide. This guide provides actionable advice and checklists to help students minimise the impact of menstruation during exam preparation.

(Image: d-unicharm.jp)

A dedicated website further enriches the project by offering expert advice from doctors and pharmacists, real-life testimonials from parents and children, and practical menstrual care tips. This resource serves as a comprehensive support system for both students and their families.

Moreover, SOFY has introduced a “Menstrual Care Gift Set for Exam Students,” which is available online. These gift sets are designed to encourage families to initiate conversations about menstruation. Sofy’s official social media platforms are also actively promoting campaigns to broaden awareness and participation in this initiative.

Building a sustainable future begins with addressing both physical and emotional well-being. The “#MenstrualCareIsSupport” project provides a crucial platform for students and their families to reflect on and discuss menstruation. It is hoped that this campaign will pave the way for a society that acknowledges menstruation and PMS as normal challenges while offering better support and options to manage them.

(Originally published on Life Hugger.)

[Website] SOFY Exam Support Website – SOFY Menstrual Products (Japanese)
[Website] SOFY Exam Support Menstrual Care Gift SM | Unicharm Direct Online Store (Japanese)
[Website] SOFY Menstrual Products (Japanese)

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Life Hugger

Life Hugger is a web magazine introducing fun and sustainable lifestyles. It provides suggestions to achieving sustainability in living, child-raising, health, house chores, leisure and more.

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Written by Life Hugger