The aim of the 2M Programme of the Municipality of Józsefváros is to make access to menstrual products easier, to help raise awareness about menstruation, to promote menstrual dignity and to reduce period poverty. The programme was launched in 2022, following an initiative by students, with the first sanitary pad vending machine installed at the Family and Child Welfare Service (Család- és Gyermekjóléti Szolgálat) on Népszínház utca. Since then, the initiative has been steadily expanding and now provides free sanitary pads to residents of Józsefváros in several areas.
The residents of Józsefváros have also supported the further expansion of the programme: thanks to the 2025 participatory budgeting, 5 million forints are available for the development of the 2M programme.
The sanitary pad vending machines are available at five locations
- Népszínház utca 22. – Family and Child Welfare Service (Család- és Gyermekjóléti Szolgálat)
- Kőris utca 35. – Family and Child Welfare Centre (Család- és Gyermekjóléti Központ)
- Koszorú utca 4. – Temporary Home for Families (Családok Átmeneti Otthona)
- Dankó utca 18. – Dankó Udvar
- Dobozi utca 23. – Spirál Recovery Centre (Spirál Felépülési Központ)
Use of the machines is free of charge, but access varies by location.
The machine at Dankó udvar is simple to use
At Dankó udvar, Dankó utca 18., no prior appointment or registration is required to use the machine.
Using the machine is simple:
- Use the buttons to select the code for the product you require.
- Press the R button.
- The machine will dispense the free sanitary pad.
Prior arrangement is required at other locations
To use the machines located at Népszínház utca 22., Kőris utca 35. and Koszorú utca 4., you must first contact staff of the Józsefváros Social Services and Child Welfare Centre (Józsefvárosi Szociális Szolgáltató és Gyermekjóléti Központ – JSzSzGyK).
If you are already a JSzSzGyK client, please contact the member of staff you usually communicate with. If you are not yet a client but would like to take part in the programme, please visit one of the participating organisations. Staff there will inform you about the options available and help you join the programme.
Do you have any further questions? We are here to help!
JSZSZGYK 2M Programme (Népszínház utca 22., Kőris utca 35.)
Telephone number: +36 1 3330582
2M at School
One of the programme’s new initiatives is 2M at School, which aims to provide students with free access to menstrual products whilst also expanding their knowledge about menstruation.
The pilot programme was launched at the Deák Diák Primary School and High School of Music and Singing, involving girls in grades 5 to 11. Participants can take part in two sessions, one hour each, during which the school nurse discusses the biological aspects of menstruation with the pupils, while the school social worker talks to them about the social and everyday aspects of menstruation.
Dispensers stocked with sanitary pads and information leaflets have also been placed in the school’s toilets. As part of the programme, sanitary products are also available from the school nurses.
According to plans, further primary schools in Józsefváros will join the programme during the 2026/2027 school year, thereby ensuring continued access to free products.
2M in the workplace and in public toilets
The 2M Programme provides free sanitary pads for staff at the Municipality of Józsefváros and its institutions, as well as for users of public toilets.
The products are available in the toilets at the Mayor’s Office and the Customer Service Centre, as well as at several sites of the Józsefváros Management Centre (Józsefvárosi Gazdálkodási Központ – JGK):
- Public toilet at Kálvária tér
- Public toilet at the market on Teleki tér
- Public sanitation depot on Magdolna utca – for staff of the Józsefváros Management Centre
- Public sanitation depot on Dankó utca – for staff of the Józsefváros Management Centre
- Toilet at the customer service centre on Práter utca – for customers of the Józsefváros Management Centre
- Toilets at the customer service centre on Őr utca – for customers of the Józsefváros Management Centre
The aim of the 2M Programme is to ensure access to menstrual products at as many locations as possible across the district.