Still Struggling with Periods Colliding with High-Speed Rail Travel?

by Iris Liu  (translated by ChatGPT)

16 July 2025

Story brief:

In May 2025, sanitary pad brand FreePoint partnered with several regional railway bureaus to launch a pilot program offering emergency sanitary pads on high-speed trains—taking tangible steps to address women’s needs in public spaces.

Story in detailed description:

Back in 2022, the question “Is it reasonable that high-speed trains don’t sell sanitary pads?” sparked heated debate on Weibo. Now, FreePoint has finally responded with concrete action.

According to the brand’s official statement, the initiative has already been rolled out across 150 train units. Passengers can either scan a QR code at their seat or request assistance from onboard staff to receive one free emergency sanitary pad. Additional products in various sizes and quantities can also be purchased via QR code.

Importantly, the free pads come with full quality assurance—addressing common consumer concerns, such as pad length and national safety standards.

Implication:

What makes this initiative resonate so deeply with women is not just that it solves a problem or upgrades a service—it recognizes a long-overlooked emotional reality: that women’s physiological needs should not be marginalized in public spaces. This is a powerful example of corporate social responsibility in action. By leveraging both product strength and operational capability, the brand meaningfully engages with a broader social issue, turning the idea of “visibility” from a slogan into a lived experience.

Against the backdrop of rising female awareness and the development of gender-inclusive infrastructure, actions like this are helping brands earn long-term trust. Ultimately, the brands that demonstrate a genuine understanding of users’ real-world situations—especially in critical moments—are the ones most likely to inspire emotional loyalty.