Menstrual equity and why it matters
At Dress for Success Austin (DFSA), we work to ensure that all women have access to the basic necessities they need to maintain their health and well being including access to free menstrual products and the advocacy of menstrual equity. Menstrual equity refers to the universal access of menstrual hygiene products as well as access to education about reproductive health.
Thanks to generous donations from Women’s Philanthropy Dignity Grows Austin Chapter and Flo Code, DFSA is able to provide women in Central Texas free tampons, pads and other hygiene products. Shalom Austin is able to utilize fundraising efforts and relationships with vendors to purchase and assemble tote bags containing a one-month supply of personal and feminine hygiene products for the women we serve. We support the work that local businesses and organizations are taking to raise awareness about menstrual equity!
Menstrual equity is especially essential for the nearly 22 million women living in poverty in the United States who cannot afford menstrual hygiene products, a problem known as period poverty. Harvard Health Publishing points out that while food stamps and subsidies under WIC (women, infants and children) helps with groceries, this does not cover menstrual products. Forbes recently reported that in the United States, the average age for menstruation begins at age 12, creating an additional burden for mothers with financial challenges.
Earlier this month, Florida Representative Stan McClain testified about Bill 1069 which would ban the discussion of menstruation in schools before sixth grade. Similarly, in Idaho, Bill 313 was blocked which would provide free menstrual products in public schools.
Given the recent bills related to menstrual equity, it’s more important than ever for companies to support their female employees by participating in the advocacy of period equity and increase access to these products within the workplace at no cost.
Forbes shared a few ways that companies can get involved or make a positive impact:
Provide free menstrual products in employee and customer restrooms.
Ensure no penalty for bathroom breaks, especially for hourly employees.
Provide educational resources and information about menstruation and menopause: This includes basic menstrual literacy, education about period poverty, and perspective on the myriad ways periods impact girls’ education, women’s rights, and gender equity.
Fund global awareness programs. Such investments enable girls to stay in school and women to work. Eliminating barriers posed by menstruation can have a massive impact on global GDPs.
Support menstruation, menopause, and reproductive justice nonprofit organizations that serve marginalized communities here at home and globally.
Understand the laws in states where you do business and make menstrual equity part of your public policy commitment. This includes advocating for medically accurate reproductive, sexual, and menstrual education in schools; publicly funded and freely accessible menstrual products; elimination of the “tampon tax”; and protection from menstrual surveillance and data sharing. Use your connections with business leaders and lawmakers to press for local, state and federal reforms.
At DFSA, we will continue to advocate for menstrual equity and support organizations that not only provide access to hygiene products and education about period poverty, but work to eliminate the stigma around menstruation and reproductive health.
Huma Farid, MD. “Period equity: What it is and why it matters,” Harvard Medical Schools’ Harvard Health Publishing, 2021.
MeiMei Fox. “6 Ways Businesses Can And Should Commit To Menstrual Equity Now,” Forbes, 2023.