Supporting innovative solutions for Women in Defence

Smart and practical system for menstrual management in the field

A thoughtful design moving beyond concept

As the presence of women in defence continues to grow, equipment naturally evolves alongside it, addressing specific needs such as menstrual management in field activities.

Mensficka comes as a response to this challenge: a dedicated pouch created to organise period supplies and support women in service.

Advancing initiatives, such as Mensficka, are part of our ongoing effort to identify and bring forward effective solutions for all the sectors we serve.

Strengthening Readiness through Innovation

We believe our role, as a strategic partner, goes beyond supply and logistics. We actively look for new ideas that reinforce medical readiness, from personal hygiene to the most complex medical equipment.

This commitment led us to discover the industrial designer Selma Strand and her project, Mensficka, at a sector trade fair.
Selma is a talented young designer who has brought a fresh perspective to the sector. We are genuinely enthusiastic about supporting Selma on this journey. We act as a strategic bridge, connecting the project with Defence stakeholders and assisting with the commercial strategy to broaden the development possibilities of this concept.

By backing this project, we reinforce our mission to elevate standards and ensure that the most creative solutions reach those who serve on the frontline.

Addressing the gap: from insight to action

“If Defence distributes equipment designed for managing menstruation in the field, it shows that menstruation is part of the exercise, which shows that I am part of Defence.”
Woman in defence and project contributor

Challenges of period management in the field

Defence activities can vary in duration and intensity, often taking place in remote settings. Managing periods and changing pads or tampons in this context can add extra mental load, stress, and potential impacts on field performance:
  • Limited privacy: Changing supplies often happens in improvised locations.
  • Compromised waste management: Used products are kept in improvised storage until proper disposal is available.
  • Struggle with equipment layers: Uniforms and protective gear add complexity to the process.
  • Time pressure and health impacts: The constraints often lead to unhealthy, prolonged use of the same menstrual product.
    • "Above all, it is such a massive hassle with all the gear you have, and the fact that it takes so much time to take it off, change sanitary products, and so on."
    "I want to strongly emphasise hygiene and the ability to change underwear when you have bled through. I spent the last three or four days of an exercise in heavily blood-stained underwear."
    "I was lucky to rarely have my period in the field. But I did have it during the final field test, which made it feel much more stressful."

    Mensficka is a response to these challenges

    A structured pouch for the organisation of menstrual supplies, supporting inclusion and well-being for women in service.

    Designed with and tested by women in defence

    Mensficka began as Selma Strand's Industrial Design thesis at the Umeå Institute of Design. Driven by a commitment to social impact, she focused her studies on meaningful solutions for women, with a clear interest in menstruation.
    The project gained direction when she connected the topic to the growing presence of women in the Swedish Defence, identifying a gap for development.

    To move from vision to a functional system, Selma began with a simple and crucial step: listening.

    Selma invited women in Swedish Defence to share their experiences and struggles related to managing periods under limited conditions. They also participated actively in workshops and prototype testing.
    The foundation of the equipment was built in this collaborative environment. Rather than imposing a single method, the project focused on respecting individual preferences. In this process, one key message became clear:

    “Everyone has personal preferences and reasons for them. That's the way it has to be”.
    Selma Strand, Industrial Designer and creator of Mensficka

    The result is a standardised solution, configurable to individual needs:
  • Each woman's preferences and menstrual handling habits.
  • Product types and required quantities.
  • Activities of different durations and intensities.

    • Mensficka: an adaptable pouch for women on the frontline

    Making period management in service faster, simpler and more discreet.

    Adaptable to personal preferences and required supply quantities by activity duration without restricting movement or performance.

    Key features

    Supporting better organisation, easier handling and greater hygiene control of menstrual supplies.


    Better hygiene control
    A main compartment for clean items and an isolated pocket to keep used supplies entirely separate.

    Easier access via side opening
    Facilitates quicker handling when access is limited by uniforms or protective gear.

    Smooth equipment integration
    Easily attaches to existing gear with MOLLE webbing.

    Configure and optimise kits for servicewomen

    Get more information about Mensficka and receive expert guidance to customise personal hygiene and healthcare kits, including tampons and pads.
    Contact our consultants