On the international World Menstruation Day on Saturday, a Swiss start-up launched an online shop: Periodshop.ch offers sustainable alternative products to disposable items such as tampons and pads, according to a statement. In the Swiss retail trade, the range of ecological alternatives, such as period underwear, is very limited.
“I myself have been struggling with pain during my periods month after month for years. At some point I thought to myself, this has to end now », founder Hera Zimmermann is quoted as saying. This gave rise to the idea of a shop that offers the best products for pain relief, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and everything to do with monthly bleeding. The offer does not only focus on women – the products can also be used as a man or FINTA person. “Because whoever menstruates is not necessarily female,” it says.
The 28-year-old from Zurich, Hera Zimmermann, founded the social media agency Tings in 2020, which currently has ten employees (persoenlich.com reported). Periodshop.ch is her second company. Zimmermann has also been on the jury for the Swiss Comedy Awards since 2017 and sits on the advisory board of one of the largest Swiss agencies.
Of the Online shop Periodshop.ch is, according to the announcement, a novelty in Switzerland. “So far, I’m not aware of any comparable offer,” says Zimmermann. On the “already successful” TikTok-Kanal @ periodshop.ch represent the team behind the shop everyday situations in the life of a menstruating person.
“Cup for a Cup” fundraiser
The start-up is committed to menstruating people all over the world. That’s why, according to their own statements, with every purchase of a menstrual cup, another one is donated to South Africa. Because the monthly bleeding could even cost lives due to a lack of hygiene. “Not everyone has the money and access like we do in Switzerland. With this commitment, we would like to fight against period poverty in third-world countries,” says Zimmermann.
The Swiss parliament is currently debating reducing the VAT rate, and Spain recently introduced a national periodic holiday. (pd/cbe)
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