Various menstrual products
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pme donates: Periodensystem e.V.

Maxi Bethge-Lewandoski has a vision: to end period poverty in Germany and promote education around the topic of menstruation. As the founder of the voluntary association Periodensystem e.V., she is committed to giving the topic of menstruation the attention it deserves. In this interview, Maxi gives us an insight into her inspiring work and the challenges involved. 

"The topic of menstruation and period poverty needs more social awareness and attention."

Who is behind the periodic table?

Maxi : We are an association founded and run by volunteers. Each and every one of us pursues the mission of creating more equality and providing low-threshold help and education on period poverty and menstruation. 

Our members have been collecting donations since 2016 to provide those in need with period and hygiene products. We also work with artists, gynecologists, schools and companies to raise awareness. The topic of menstruation and period poverty needs more social awareness and attention.

What does your daily work look like?

Maxi: We distribute period and hygiene items to emergency shelters, schools, organizations and mother and child homes, among others. We are also in close contact with homeless shelters and social institutions. This means we always know what is needed when and can guarantee that the donations arrive where they are needed. We supply emergency shelters such as those run by GEBEWO, Berliner Stadtmission, SKF and DRK directly with menstrual and hygiene products via our crowdfunding page on betterplace.org

Through our online community on Instagram and Facebook, we educate people about period poverty and the topics of menstruation, equality and more in general. 

In regular online live sessions, meet-ups and interviews, our team and community members provide information on topics such as intersexuality, pregnancy, homelessness and sexuality. We also offer workshops for companies, schools and events to raise awareness of the topic among as many social groups as possible.

We make the topic visible on Instagram and cooperate with companies to get it out of the taboo zone.


Access to menstrual products is not a matter of course.

How did you come up with the idea of campaigning for period education?

Maxi : I have always thought about what actually happens to menstruating women when they are in need. People think about food, clothes and sleeping bags first, but not about periods. 

Then I heard about projects in the UK and the USA and created a crowdfunding page on Betterplace.org. I got GEBEWO on board as a partner to buy products for their emergency shelter and that's how Periodensystem came about.

What do you think a fair world looks like when it comes to dealing with menstruation - and what do you think still needs to change to get there?

Maxi: We have five demands: more education through better education policy in schools and drop-in centers, more public toilets as a shelter for menstruating women, better social policy regarding rent policy and wage levels, better health policy with education and research into diseases, and free items in public buildings - like in Scotland.

What challenges do you face most often in your day-to-day work - be it in terms of organization, financing or dealing with social taboos?

Maxi: In the social sector, our work is widely respected and recognized. We are particularly well received in communities that are committed to equality and social justice. But as soon as we move into the corporate sector, we often encounter challenges. Here, the issue is often seen as a "nice to have" - a side issue that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. 

Especially in the current political and economic situation, there is a risk that topics such as menstruation and sex education will once again disappear from the focus of public perception.
At the same time, we are seeing an increasing demand for sustainable period products, which is pleasing, but also places a heavy burden on our financial and logistical capacities.

How do people react when they hear about your work for the first time?

Maxi: We often hear: "That's right, I haven't even thought about that yet."


According to Plan International menstruating people spend on average between 550 and 650 euros on period products per year.

Are there any stories or encounters that have particularly touched you?

Maxi: There are many touching stories, but the words of thanks from people we have been able to help directly are particularly motivating.

You have received a donation of 10,000 euros from pme. What projects have you already been able to implement or would you like to implement with it?

Maxi: The generous donation of 10,000 euros helps us enormously to drive our work forward and distribute sustainable period products exactly where they are most urgently needed. With these funds, we can not only cover acute needs, but also implement projects aimed at long-term education and awareness-raising.

When people want to support you: What helps you most at the moment - apart from financial donations?

Maxi: Please invite us to your companies so that we can talk about this important topic there. Such conversations help to raise awareness of sustainable menstrual products and remove taboos from the topic in professional environments.

You can also support us by sharing our Instagram profile. If you have school-age children, we would be very happy if you could promote the topic in your children's schools. "Ella's World" is a fantastic guide to providing age-appropriate and informal education about menstruation for 9-14 year olds.

Social commitment of the pme Familienservice

The "pme donates" fundraising campaign has been running for four years, giving pme team members the opportunity to nominate charitable organizations in the areas of international development aid, social work, climate and animal protection and culture for a donation, which they actively support. All team members then vote for the organizations they want to support. The organizations with the most votes receive a donation from pme Familienservice. In 2024, six national and international organizations received a total of 50,000 euros in donations.

zero Spouses' emergency representation law: What you need to know!

Spouses' right of emergency representation
Age & care

Spouses' emergency representation law: What you need to know!

If a person was no longer able to make decisions about their own health due to an accident or serious illness, this often came as a nasty surprise for their spouse or partner.

Contrary to what they often thought, life partners were not automatically entitled to make decisions for their partner. The emergency spouse representation law gives spouses and civil partners the opportunity to make decisions in emergency medical situations, for example regarding medical examinations or treatments. 

In this article you will learn

  • When does the spouse's right of emergency representation apply and what options does it offer?
  • In which areas spouses will be able to make decisions in emergencies in future.
  • What limits the spouse's right of emergency representation has.
  • Why individual provision is still important.

When does the emergency spouse representation law apply and what does it include?

The "Right of emergency representation between spouses in health matters" comes into force in January 2023 .

According to this regulation, spouses can represent each other in emergency medical situations even without a living will or power of attorney and take over the healthcare of their partner who is unable to make decisions. However, this right only applies for a maximum of six months. 

If the condition has not improved after this, a legal guardian can be appointed by the guardianship court. Relatives, volunteers or full-time caregivers are usually considered for this.

In which areas will spouses be able to make decisions in future?

They can make decisions about treatments and examinations as well as decisions relating to property law that are directly connected to this (e.g. concluding treatment and care contracts). 

What are the limits of the spouse's right of emergency representation?

The new regulation expressly refers only to emergencies.

For example, spouses are only authorized to act once a doctor has confirmed their partner's incapacity in writing. In addition, the right of emergency representation only applies in direct connection with health care - but not for residential matters or the care of property.

Is the right of emergency representation mandatory?

No, it does not apply if it is contrary to the wishes of the patient. It does not apply if the patient has previously authorized another person in a health care proxy or has expressed a different will.

It also does not apply to spouses who are separated. 

What is recommended for comprehensive prevention? 

The spouse's right of emergency representation can be a great relief in acute situations. However, it does not replace the tried and tested precautionary options such as a health care proxy and living will.

On the one hand, these are not limited in time, and on the other hand, they offer considerably more freedom of design because they allow very individual arrangements for a wide variety of areas. 

An overview of spousal emergency representation law: 5 key points 

  • The emergency representation law comes into force in January 2023.
  • Spouses and registered partners can represent each other in healthcare matters.
  • The right of representation is only valid for a maximum of 6 months. 
  • A doctor must have confirmed the partner's legal incapacity.
  • Living wills and health care proxies are still recommended for comprehensive provision.
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Learn more about pme Familienservice

 

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