Imagine living in a world where periods are a source of shame and sanitary pads are a luxury not everyone can afford.

In this powerful episode of Fem Tech at Work, we talk to Julia Zhu, the founder of FreePeriod, who's on a mission to change that. Julia shares her personal story of struggle and determination, and how it sparked her passion to provide low-cost sanitary pads to women in need across China. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, social impact, and women's health, and discover the inspiring work being done to break down period stigma and create a more equitable future for all!

Key Takeaways:

• Discover Julia's firsthand experience with period stigma and the lack of access to essential sanitary products in China that fueled her entrepreneurial drive
• Understand the core objectives of FreePeriod
• Gain valuable insights into the initial hurdles Julia faced, from securing sponsors and navigating bureaucratic complexities to directly confronting deeply ingrained period stigma
• Learn crucial lessons about identifying your strengths, building a supportive team, and the surprising power of engaging male allies in a traditionally female-centric space
• Explore the creativity behind FreePeriod's vending machine prototype, featuring a free dispensing mechanism integrated with a WeChat public account
• Get a glimpse into FreePeriod's ambitious plans, including local manufacturing, expanding their reach to schools and public spaces, and incorporating cutting-edge technology
• Hear about Julia's strategic approach to securing funding through Hong Kong-based incubation programs
• Discover the innovative solar-powered vending machine developed by FreePeriod, designed for outdoor use and even equipped with USB charging capabilities
• Learn about Julia's connections within the growing Chinese and global Fem tech ecosystem and the supportive network driving innovation in women's health
• Understand Julia's perspective on the increasing interest in women's health innovation in China and her vision for leveraging international support to advocate for greater prioritization of women's well-being
• Receive advice from Julia for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the women's health space
• Understand Julia's powerful vision of her work as a catalyst for building future women leaders and empowering them to create meaningful change

Resources:

Julia Zhu: LinkedIn

FreePeriod: LinkedIn

FreePeriod: https://free-period-website.vercel.app/

Maaike Steinebach : LinkedIn

Website Femtech Future https://www.femtechfuture.com

Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future

Ready to be part of the movement?

Connect with Julia and Free Period. Help us break the silence around menstruation by sharing this insightful conversation with your network. Don't miss out our future episodes exploring the cutting edge of Femtech! Like and share FemTech at Work today!

Thank you, and see you on our next episode!