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Our Laws Period-Shame Women So I'm Going to Change Them
Source: Marie Claire
<snip>
This week I introduced the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2017, the first legislation in Congress to deal with menstrual hygiene product access. It has five different parts aimed at addressing all of these issues.
You would not believe what female inmates go through to access menstrual hygiene products. The ACLU of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 8 female prisoners at Muskegon County Jail because (among other things) the prison denied inmates access to menstrual hygiene products, a condition considered inhumane and degrading. Female inmates in Connecticut only get five pads per week to split with their bunkmate, which means they may have to use a single pad for multiple days. I cannot imagine how humiliating that must feel. My bill would require each state to give female inmates and detainees as many tampons or pads as they need, whenever they need them—at no cost. If Congress has to deny states certain federal funds to get their prisons to change their current horrendous practices, then so be it.
Homeless women also face serious problems when on their period. A report issued in 2014 said that homeless women experience the "degrading condition of not having access to adequate facilities during their menstrual cycles to be able to use hygiene products and change them on a regular basis." Some homeless women resort to using rags or...nothing. Congress should be outraged by these conditions. Shelters should be able to use federal grant money to purchase tampons or pads—that is exactly what my bill ensures.
Once I started learning about all of the ways women and girls struggle to access menstrual hygiene products during their periods, I realized how much I took my own circumstances for granted. I am grateful to be in a position to advocate on this issue and effect change. My bill may be the first effort at addressing menstrual equity on the national stage, but it won't be the last. Especially not if passionate and talented women like you run for office and promote issues like these when you get there.
This week I introduced the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2017, the first legislation in Congress to deal with menstrual hygiene product access. It has five different parts aimed at addressing all of these issues.
You would not believe what female inmates go through to access menstrual hygiene products. The ACLU of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 8 female prisoners at Muskegon County Jail because (among other things) the prison denied inmates access to menstrual hygiene products, a condition considered inhumane and degrading. Female inmates in Connecticut only get five pads per week to split with their bunkmate, which means they may have to use a single pad for multiple days. I cannot imagine how humiliating that must feel. My bill would require each state to give female inmates and detainees as many tampons or pads as they need, whenever they need them—at no cost. If Congress has to deny states certain federal funds to get their prisons to change their current horrendous practices, then so be it.
Homeless women also face serious problems when on their period. A report issued in 2014 said that homeless women experience the "degrading condition of not having access to adequate facilities during their menstrual cycles to be able to use hygiene products and change them on a regular basis." Some homeless women resort to using rags or...nothing. Congress should be outraged by these conditions. Shelters should be able to use federal grant money to purchase tampons or pads—that is exactly what my bill ensures.
Once I started learning about all of the ways women and girls struggle to access menstrual hygiene products during their periods, I realized how much I took my own circumstances for granted. I am grateful to be in a position to advocate on this issue and effect change. My bill may be the first effort at addressing menstrual equity on the national stage, but it won't be the last. Especially not if passionate and talented women like you run for office and promote issues like these when you get there.
Read more: http://www.marieclaire.com/politics/news/a25464/congresswoman-grace-meng-menstrual-equity-bill/?platform=hootsuite
I think another thing that should be considered is providing non-disposable items as a choice (such as the Diva Cup). In the long run, it is cheaper and better for the environment.
9 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
but K & R for human rights.
